ICC warns PCB of sanctions if it fails to 'clean up act' within 30 days - India News and Travel Times Provides India-centric and other News and Features

Taking serious note of the continuing decline in the governance of cricket in Pakistan, the International Cricket Council (ICC) in its two-day board meeting in Dubai gave out a clear message to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) that it should either buck up and sort out the game's administration within a month or be ready to face the consequences, potentially in the form of sanctions. In a statement, The ICC disclosed that a series of measures were approved by its executive board to deal with the challenge and assist the PCB who had agreed to the measures, the Daily Times reported. To ensure that the integrity of the game is upheld, the ICC Board will issue a broad advisory to all players, reminding them of their individual and collective obligations and the severe consequences of a failure to abide by it. "The PCB must act and be seen to be acting to uphold the zero-tolerance attitude to corruption in sport. In this regard, the PCB is required to conduct a thorough review of player integrity issues across all authorized cricket in Pakistan and report back to the Pakistan Task Team within 30 days," the ICC said. In the statement lies an implicit recognition and acknowledgment of the administrative mishaps in Ijaz Butt's two-year tenure, as well as the breakdown in relationship between the PCB and the ICC, the paper said. The ICC wants PCB to implement not only a competency-based education programme for all registered players, but also a proper, accountable and robust disciplinary process for the sport. The ICC has also asked for the introduction of a domestic anti-corruption code, which mirrors the ICC Anti-Corruption Code. "If the PCB fails to carry out the above to the satisfaction of the ICC Board, acting in consultation with the Pakistan Task Team, within the next 30 days, the ICC Board will consider what further action, including, if appropriate, sanctions, is required in the circumstances," said the ICC statement.