PCB remains mum on committee issue

Fri, Oct 22 10 09:07 PM

Karachi, Oct 22 (PTI) Pakistan Cricket Board preferred to keep its mum on the issue of constituting a seven-member committee to ensure the enforcement of strict anti-corruption measures in the game as per the ICC recommendations. Chief Operating Officer Wasim Bari refused to confirm or deny the existence of the committee that is headed by PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt. But sources said the committee''s formation would be announced after the governing council of the Board meets on November 1 and gives it formal approval. "There are seven members on the committee and their main task is to ensure that all recommendations made by the ICC are implemented and anti-corruption laws are enforced properly in international and domestic cricket," the source said. The source said the committee members had already held deliberations and Butt would brief ICC task force on Pakistan cricket about this during a teleconference with them tomorrow. "The committee has wide ranging powers to take immediate action against any player suspected of being involved in any corrupt practice in the team or even in domestic cricket," the source said. The ICC has given PCB a 30-day deadline to enforce its recommendations, improve its governance and show serious intent in implementing anti-corruption measures in the country''s cricket structure. The PCB this week also announced it had evolved a revised code of conduct for the members of the Pakistan team with special emphasis on anti-corruption measures. But former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif said the code of conduct for players with anti-corruption clauses had always been there. "The main issue is the PCB intent and how serious is it about implementing these clauses in letter and spirit," Latif said. "Only this year stern actions were assured against certain players after the Australian tour but in reality nothing happened and all were taken back in the national team again. "Whenever a code of conduct is drafted the focus is solely on players but I believe the Board should also have clauses and a code for the team officials as well and they must be told to formally accept certain rules and regulations," he added. Latif also urged the PCB to have a code of behaviour for the players and team officials on every tour and in every series. "If his code of behaviour is enforced properly, I can assure you the team will be able to convey a very positive message to its supporters in Pakistan and abroad. The code should advise the players on how to interact with umpires, opponents, the media and their fans in general," he said. PTI Corr DB

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