PCB draws up new player rules after ICC warning

LAHORE: Pakistan's cricket board said Monday it had drawn up a new players' code of conduct outlining stricter rules on corruption following sharp criticism from the sport's governing body. Pakistani cricket has been rocked by allegations of spot-fixing during the national team's recent tour of England. The team's tour of Australia in March was also marred by disciplinary problems and match-fixing allegations. The International Cricket Council (ICC) last Wednesday told the PCB it must "uphold a zero tolerance attitude to corruption in sport" and ensure players' integrity. It said Pakistan must prove progress is being made within 30 days, or risk sanctions. Team manager Intikhab Alam said the new code of conduct was a first step towards fulfilling the ICC's recommendations. He said the new code would help the board in dealing with disciplinary and corruption problems. Spot-fixing allegations by a British newspaper tabloid in London this summer resulted in two separate inquiries. The ICC ruled there was no evidence of spot-fixing in the third one-day international between Pakistan and England last month but another inquiry, relating to the Lord's Test against England in August, is pending. Three players, Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir, were provisionally suspended by the ICC after it was alleged they took money from a book-maker to deliberately bowl no-balls in the Test. The trio appealed against the suspension and face an ICC hearing in Doha, Qatar on October 30 and 31. Intikhab Alam, who was replaced as coach after the team's problem-hit tour of Australia in March, took over as manager earlier this month. He revealed few details of the new code, but said it involved stricter rules of behaviour and that players would be barred from addressing media directly. Intikhab said players had also been briefed about their responsibilities in a 90-minute lecture at a training camp in Lahore.. The PCB will also implement strict rules in domestic matches by which players will not be allowed to use mobile phones and unauthorised people will be barred from players' dressing rooms, said Alam. He added the new code would be given to players in the next couple of days. "The players are required to sign the document before we leave to play against South Africa," said Alam of the series against South Africa starting in the United Arab Emirates from October 26. Pakistan play two Twenty20, five One-day Internationals and two Tests on the tour.

PCB forms anti-corruption committee on ICC's guidelines

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has constituted a seven-member committee to remove corruption from the game, in line with instructions given by the International Cricket Council (ICC). PCB chief Ijaz Butt will head the committee which will have authority to take immediate action against any player or official found to be involved in corruption. The seven person committee also includes PCB’s Chief Operating Officer (COO) Wasim Bari and GM Cricket Operations Zakir Khan. ICC, earlier this month, issued a strict warning to PCB to improve its governance and implement a series of measures within 30 days and get a nod of approval from the Pakistan Task Force, or face sanctions

Pakistan's Irfan suspended for three matches

NEWDEHLI: Pakistan defender Muhammad Irfan was Tuesday suspended for three matches for violent play during a classification game against South Africa in the Commonwealth Games field hockey.

He was suspended for bringing down South African forward Marvin Harper in an ill-tempered clash at the Major Dhyan Chand stadium.

Irfan was charged under a level 2 offence of FIH's code of conduct which deals with physical assault without causing serious injury. He was also red-carded by the on-field umpires for the rough tackle.

Pakistan have no more matches left at the Games, having finished sixth after losing to South Africa 3-2 via a golden goal.AGENCIES

Pakistan bags two golds at the C'Wealth Games

NEW DELHI: Two Pakistani wrestlers, Azhar Hussain and Mohammad Inaam, won gold medals in different categories at the Commonwealth Games Sunday. Azhar Hussain defeated Nigerian Wilson in the 55 kilogram category and won the first gold medal for Pakistan, while Mohammad Inaam won the second gold medal when he defeated Indian wrestler Anoj Kumar.

ICC to update cricketers on anti-corruption before Cup

BANGALORE: Players and support staff will be updated on anti-corruption methods before next year's World Cup in the Indian sub-continent, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said on Wednesday. "It is absolutely vital for our flagship event and the future prosperity of cricket that we maintain public confidence in the integrity of the game," ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat said in a statement after a meeting of the 2011 World Cup Central Organising Committee (COC). "Repeating the education and awareness to players and support staff will leave no room for doubt. We are committed to a zero-tolerance approach to corruption." Cricket is battling a spot-fixing controversy which led to the provisional suspension of three Pakistani players and shed light on the huge illegal betting industry in the Indian sub-continent. ICC President Sharad Pawar, who chaired the meeting, promised top class facilities and assured stadiums would be ready by the end of this year. "We have confirmed our deadline date for the completion of all stadia construction work to be 30 November 2010 and all playing facilities to be match-ready by 31 December 2010." Lorgat said ICC had been assured that proper safety and security measures would be put in place for the event. The COC also announced that the Indian company which organised the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony will do the same for the World Cup which India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will jointly host from Feb. 19 to April 2. AGENCIES

Pakistan thrash Scotland by 3-0 in opening match

NEWDEHLI: Pakistan made a winning start to their campaign in the Commonwealth Games, thrashing Scotland 3-0 in their opening Pool A match here on Tuesday. Shakeel Abbasi opened the scoring for Pakistan in the 20th minute before ace forward Rehann Butt slammed a goal from the top of the circle 10 minutes from half-time at a near-empty Major Dhyan Chand stadium. Muhammad Imran made it 3-0 when he converted the first of the four penalty corners that Pakistan earned in the match in the 43rd minute. Pakistan, who finished last at the same venue in the World Cup earlier this year, seemed to have left memories of that botched campaign firmly behind them as they took control of the proceedings right from the first whistle. The defeated finalists of the 2006 Melbourne Games, Pakistan next face Malaysia before taking on hot favourites Australia and arch-rivals India. Butt said his side was relieved to have crossed the first hurdle with ease. "We are really pleased that we could start off with a victory," the 30-year-old said. "We have some tough matches coming up against Australia and India and the win today will boost our confidence." Butt was disappointed with the poor attendance at the stadium Tuesday but hoped more people would turn up for Pakistan's match against the home team. "A player always gives his best when there is a good crowd to cheer the good moves. May be the early timings and the heat kept the crowd away. But I am sure there will be many who will come to watch us play India." In a Pool B match played earlier, New Zealand men spanked Trinidad and Tobago 7-1 with Andrew Hayward and Blair Hilton slamming in two goals each. Hugo Inglis, Hayden Shaw and Nick Haig were the other scorers for the Black Sticks while Wayne Legerton netted the lone goal for Trinidad and Tobago.AGENCIES

Salman Butt submits suspension review plea to ICC

London: A spokesman of the International Cricket Council (ICC) has confirmed that Salman Butt’s appeal to review his suspension has been received by the world cricket body.

While talking to SAMAA, ICC spokesman Sami-ul-Hassan said that Salman Butt’s appeal against temporary suspension was received on Wednesday.

He added that earlier Salman Butt submitted a plea through his counsel, but now his personal appeal in an individual capacity has reached the ICC. The spokesman added further that individual appeals of Muhammad Asif and Muhammad Aamir have not yet been received.

After the notorious spot fixing scandal exposed by a UK tabloid weekly, ICC had suspended Salman Butt, Muhammad Asif and Muhammad Aamir temporarily