Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Ijaz ButtKARACHI — Pakistan on Tuesday urged those who made accusations of match-fixing to keep quiet after the game's governing body cleared the national team of any wrongdoing on their tour of Sri Lanka.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) Monday announced that its Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) found nothing against Pakistan players after reports bookmakers tried to contact them in a team hotel in Sri Lanka.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ijaz Butt said the ICC announcement should silence the accusers.
"We have a zero tolerance towards corruption and we are relieved to learn that no untoward act was committed," Butt said in a statement.
"This announcement by the ICC should also silence those who have been vociferous in their baseless accusation but remain quiet when it comes to producing evidence," said Butt.
The Pakistani team fell under suspicion after a report in the local media this month alleged bookmakers were seen trying to make contact with players in their Colombo hotel during the second Test against Sri Lanka.
Pakistan lost the three-Test series 2-0 last month and went down 3-2 in the one-day series this month.
Pakistan team manager Yawar Saeed dismissed allegations of match-fixing but confirmed the presence of some "unwanted people" who tried to approach players in the team hotel.
The PCB said it had reported the matter to the ACSU.
Following the report, former leg-spinner and erstwhile chief selector Abdul Qadir said there may have been something behind Pakistan's surprise defeats.
"After following the series I suspect some players could be involved in match-fixing and if a high level inquiry is done everything will become crystal clear," Qadir was quoted as saying by the Press Trust of India.
The ACSU, however, cleared Pakistan of any wrongdoing.
"The ACSU was satisfied Pakistan players (were) not exposed to contact with bookmakers in (the) team hotel in Sri Lanka. The conclusion follows (an) investigation after suggestions reported in the media that players were approached," the ICC said on Monday.
"Following its investigation the ACSU is satisfied there is absolutely no substance to the suggestions and that no evidence of any such contact exists."
Butt last week said the PCB was taking legal advice on what action could be taken against people who had made allegations of match-fixing.
The ICC formed the ACSU after allegations of match-fixing rocked the cricket world in 2000, resulting in life bans on South African Hansie Cronje and India's Mohammad Azharuddin.
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