Cricket "is once again facing up to the spectre of corruption with the recent one-day international series between the West Indies and Pakistan set to be investigated over allegations of wrongdoing," according to Sam Peters of the London DAILY MAIL. Suspicious betting patterns "were identified during the low-profile five-match series, which concluded on Thursday, while unusually slow run-rates during certain overs followed by bursts of high scoring have 'set alarm bells ringing,' according to industry experts." Concerns "have been raised, in particular, around the tied third match of the series played in St. Lucia a week ago on Friday, as well as the final game, which resulted in a last-ball win for Pakistan on Thursday." One betting website "reported unusually large sums of money" -- said to run into several millions of pounds -- "being wagered between innings on a tied result during the third ODI after the West Indies were set 230 to win from 50 overs." Field placings for the final over, when No. 11 Jason Holder and fellow tail-ender Kemar Roach crashed 14 off six balls from Wahab Riaz, "will be scrutinised by officers" of the Int'l Cricket Council Anti-Corruption & Security Unit, "along with a failed run-out bid off the last delivery." ACSU officers "will also analyse patterns on spread-betting sites around the first 18 balls of the West Indies innings when only one run was scored" (DAILY MAIL, 7/29).
STRIKING BACK: The AFP reported Pakistan's cricket chief on Monday "termed fixing allegations over the team's one-day series against the West Indies as 'outrageous' adding his board had insisted on a full investigation" by the ICC. Pakistan Cricket Board interim Chair Najam Sethi "hit out at the allegations." He said, "These are outrageous claims and we have been in touch with the ICC and insist on investigation" (AFP, 7/29).
