Sept. 1: The PCB has “emphasised that there is no question of calling off the tour or dropping of any player from playing the matches”, the press councillor at the Pakistan high commission here, Sayeeda Rizvi, said on Tuesday night.
The statement by Ms Rizvi said England and Wales Cricket Board officials too have committed to continue the tour and provide necessary facilities and security to the Pakistani cricket team. “Since the matter is under investigation and no proof has yet been found media is advised not to speculate or insinuate against any individual, including the PCB setup,” Ms Rizvi added.
“So far no case has been made against any player, only investigations are being conducted by Scotland Yard. There has been complete cooperation between the PCB, ECB and the investigators. The PCB has also appointed a leading solicitor to provide legal support to the PCB and the players,” Ms Rizvi said.
There was speculation that Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ejaz Butt had met International Cricket Council chief executive Haroon Lorgat on Wednesday, but there was no confirmation from either side about the meeting. Mr Lorgat and Mr Butt are scheduled to meet in London on Thursday. The ICC ACSU officials, sources said, met actress and model Veena Malik in Lahore to question her about her statement on a TV channel that her former boyfriend, Asif, had done spot-fixing, PTI reports.
“The ACSU includes Hasan Reza, a Pakistani police official who has recently been appointed as the ACSU officer in Pakistan. He is a serving DSP in the Punjab police and is working with the ACSU on deputation,” one source told PTI.
“The two officials had a meeting with Veena today but everything is being kept secret, including the identity of the other ACSU man,” the source said. “Veena also told the ACSU officers that Dikshit had called up Asif around 17 times on telephone in recent times,” the source added. Dikshit has in the media denied Veena’s allegations, claiming he had nothing to do with fixing and that he was surprised at her claims.