PCB lodges protest with UCBSA, ICC

Karachi, April 26: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has lodged a protest with the United Cricket Board of South Africa (UCBSA) over the comments allegedly attributed to its managing director Dr Ali Bacher regarding allegations of match-fixing.

According to sources, the PCB have also sent a letter to the International Cricket Council (ICC) demanding them to inquire from Bacher why he chose to go public while bypassing the laid down procedures.

Sources added that the letters were dispatched on Monday and no reply has been received. The PCB director Yawar Saeed confirmed on Wednesday that letters were sent but anticipated that the discussions would formally take place at Lord's on May 2 and 3.

"I am not expecting their reply very soon. In all probability, we will discuss the issue at Lord's," said Yawar who leaves for the London meeting on April 29.

Yawar Saeed, regarding the contents of the letter sent to Bacher, said: "We have sought clarification if he has really mentioned Pakistan team as one of the two which, according to newspaper reports, played a fixed match in last year's World Cup."

Ali Bacher shocked the world last week when he told The Australian that two matches in the World Cup were fixed and players of highest integrity told him that matches were fixed.

Ali Bacher's statement came after he fired his country's captain Hansie Cronje who admitted taking money from an Indian bookmaker for pitch, weather and team information.

However, the interview didn't have direct quotes from Bacher as Pakistan was one of the two teams who were involved in manipulation the result of the game against Bangladesh.

"We want this to hear directly from him (Bacher)," Yawar said.

The PCB official said in his letter addressed to ICC president Jaghmohan Dalmiya, he has pointed out that Ali Bacher has bypassed the ICC commission and code of conduct.

"Even if he has not pointed out any teams, his public allegations that two World Cup matches were fixed is enough to jeopardize the image of the game.

"Besides, we have also asked Dalmiya to use his good office to seek explanation from Bacher whether he has really accused Pakistan team as being involved in World Cup matches? I remind here that Ali Bacher has not issued any denials regarding naming any teams in the interview," Yawar Saeed added.

When pointed out that Ali Bacher would reveal the names of the teams involved in match-fixing in the World Cup, Yawar Saeed said he was going prepared.

"If he (Ali Bacher) accused Pakistan, I will not level a counter-allegation. I will simply ask him to substantiate the allegations with proof.

"If allegations have to be levelled without any proof, then everyone can point fingers at anyone," he said. The PCB director, however, clarified that the ICC meeting was not being called to discuss which teams were involved in match-fixing.

"The meeting has been called to discuss why it is happening and how the ICC and the respective boards can put a full stop to his growing menace. In this regard, every board will be submitting its proposal to curb and control match-fixing or links between players and bookmakers if any," he said.

He said the PCB were doing its part of the job "and I have held a meeting with chairman on Tuesday. Another meeting is scheduled for Thursday."

Justice Qayyum's Report: Yawar Saeed said the PCB will submit Justice Malik Mohammad Qayyum's report on match-fixing in the annual ICC meeting which will take place at Lord's on June 20 and 21.

He said Lt-Gen Tauqir Zia had promised that in the ICC meeting that was held in Singapore in February.

"The PCB chairman knows his commitments. But as far as I know, he (Lt-Gen Tauqir Zia) had not received Justice Qayyum's report until a couple of days back."

He said the PCB will itself study Justice Qayyum's document before submitting it to the ICC as per commitment. "I don't know where the report is at the moment," he remarked.