'Fixing investigation under ICC's purview'

NEW DELHI: It seems the 'pitch fixing' claims made on Saturday were just the tip of the iceberg as the full undercover documentary by news channel

Al Jazeera

points to possible spot-fixing in two Test matches involving India - against England in Chennai in 2016 and against Australia in Ranchi last year. The

International Cricket Council

(

ICC

) has taken serious note of the allegations in the documentary and a thorough investigation is already underway.


"We had received information about this sting earlier this month and already asked for entire evidence and other relevant information related in possession of Al Jazeera. In fact, ICC's

Anti-Corruption Unit

general manager

Alex Marshall

has already issued a statement in this regard on May 22nd. Now that the full documentary has been aired, we have most of the details and we'll continue our investigation," an ICC official told TOI on Sunday.

"Our Anti-Corruption Unit is committed to working to uphold integrity in cricket. The ICC is aware of an investigation into corruption in cricket by a news organisation and as you would expect we will take the contents of the programme and any allegations it may make very seriously. We have already launched an investigation working with anti-corruption colleagues from Member countries based on the limited information we have received. We have made repeated requests that all evidence and supporting materials relating to corruption in cricket is released immediately to enable us to undertake a full and comprehensive investigation," Marshall's statement had read.

Although the Test matches were played in India, but since they were part of the ICC's international cricket calendar, they will fall under ICC purview. "All international matches, including bilateral Test match series fall under ICC's Anti-Corruption Code. The entire investigation will be conducted by ICC and we'll take India, Australian and England Cricket Boards' assistance where we deem necessary," the ICC official added.

BCCI's outgoing

ACU

chief Neeraj Kumar also confirmed that the investigation is in ICC's hands. "BCCI will not be conducting any enquiry as of now. We'll only assist ICC wherever they deem necessary. In regards to Mumbai's former cricketer Robin Morris, he's not employed by BCCI, so we'll not be taking any action against him at the moment. If ICC give us evidence against Morris or anyone else involved, we'll take appropriate action," Kumar told TOI.

Ajit Singh, who will replace Kumar as ACU head, also reiterated BCCI's stand. "The matches on which the sting operations were done are international matches and fall under the purview of the ICC. If the ICC wants our assistance, we are ready to help," he told TOI.
(With inputs from Saibal Bose)