ICC tough on corruption during WC, visits Pakistan team in Trinidad

Lahore, Mar 4 (UNI) With the recent revival of 'match-fixing saga' and 'dope scandal' in cricket, the International Cricket Council (ICC) is making all possible efforts to make this World Cup corruption free.

Members of the ICC Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) paid a quick visit to the Pakistan team hotel in Trinidad to remind the players about its plans to implement tough measures during the World Cup.

The team's media manager PJ Mir confirmed that ACU officials met the players and officials of the Pakistani squad yesterday to inform them about the ICC's zero tolerance policy against corruption.

''The players and officials were told that no member of the squad apart from the manager would be allowed to carry mobile phones at grounds and dressing rooms during World Cup matches,'' Mir told The News over telephone from Trinidad.

Mentionably, the prohibition is aimed at minimising the possibility of any contact between the players and book-makers.

The media manager further said the players were also told to stray away from any suspicious people as the ACU experts will be out in full force to monitor all the developments during the showpiece event.

''The team management has also briefed the players to remain extra cautious during the tournament,''Mir said.

Earlier, the ICC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Malcolm Speed haD made the international cricket board's stand clear on illegal activities and said it would not tolerate any form of corruption during the World Cup matches.

UNI