ICC rules Azhar out of the press box

<div class="section1"><div class="Normal">LAHORE: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Sunday said a probe had found no evidence of racism in Zimbabwe cricket. <br /><br />"The ICC conducted an inquiry to probe racism, allegations of racism, in Zimbabwe cricket and the two-member panel found absolutely no evidence of racism in Zimbabwe cricket," council president Ehsan Mani told a press conference.<br /><br />Cricket in the African country is in turmoil following a strike by 15 white players led by former captain Heath Streak who alleged racism in Zimbabwe cricket in April. <br /><br />The Zimbabwe Cricket Union (ZCU) refuted the allegations, sacked the rebel players and has subsequently been forced to field a weak and inexperienced side under young captain Tatenda Taibu. <br /><br />Following Zimbabwe’s humiliating defeat in two Tests against Sri Lanka and eight consecutive one-day losses, cricket’s international governing body suspended Zimbabwe’s Test status until the end of this year and launched an inquiry which was held on September 30 and October 1. <br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">Major moves of the ICC: </span><br /><br />• Some of the major decisions taken during the ICC executive committee two-day meeting in Lahore which ended here on Sunday: <br /><br />• Zimbabwe cleared of racism allegations after a two-member inquiry. <br /><br />• A new Tests and one-day system discussed and will be up for further discussion at the council’s meeting in March 2005. <br /><br />• The ICC office to be relocated from its base in London since 1909 to Singapore, Malaysia, Switzerland or Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. A final decision will be made next month. <br /><br />• No cricketer banned for life will be given press accreditation in ICC events. The decision was taken after former Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin was given accreditation to cover the Asia Cup in Sri Lanka in July. Azharuddin was banned for life over match fixing in 2000. <br /><br />• Selectors of all playing countries are bound by the ICC code of conduct and from now on will be forbidden from criticising ICC officials. The decision comes after Pakistan’s chief selector Wasim Bari criticised Englishman David Shepherd’s umpiring in a tri-series in Holland in August this year. <br /><br />• Format of the biennial Champions Trophy to be reviewed and the fifth ICC Champions Trophy in India in 2006 will be played in a slightly different format. <br /><br /></div> </div>