More trouble is in store for corrupt Pakistani cricketers as ICC’s Anti—Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) is all set to launch its own investigation into the nation’s 2010 tour of England following indications of more tainted matches during the spot—fixing trial in London.
During the course of the trial at a criminal court here, recovered text messages revealed that four more Tests appear to have been affected by spot—fixing on the tour.
There were also enough suggestions that other Pakistan players in the squad that toured England last year may also be involved in some wrongdoing, according to a report in espncricinfo .
The Southwark Crown Court yesterday found Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif guilty of conspiracy to cheat and conspiracy to accept corrupt payments for fixing part of a Test match at Lord’s last year.
The third accused, 19—year—old pacer Mohammad Aamir, who was also involved in the conspiracy, did not face trial as he had pleaded guilty.
The ACSU could not conduct a thorough inquiry into the spot—fixing scandal against the three Pakistani players as most or all of the evidence was held by the Crown and police.
But after the trial is over, there will be a debriefing between British prosecution services and the ACSU on what all can be disclosed to use in the investigations, the report said.
Although all evidences relating to the first Test against England at Trent Bridge, second at Edgbaston and third at The Oval were heard during the trial, but not in front of the jury as it could have had an impact on a fair trial of the players.
Evidence was also found for the Lord’s Test between Pakistan and Australia, while a text was also recovered by the Canadian police specialists from alleged bookie Mazhar Majeed’s mobile phone that connected Pakistan players - Kamran Akmal and Aamir - to alleged spot—fixing and links with bookmakers.
