ICC Dismisses World Cup 2011 Match-Fixing Claims

ICC Dismisses World Cup 2011 Match-Fixing Claims

The ICC has confirmed that is has not opened an investigation into the 2011 World Cup semi-final between India and Pakistan

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The International Cricket Council (ICC) has issued a statement dismissing claims made in a report in a British newspaper that they are investigating the 2011 World Cup semi-final for corruption.

A report in the The Sunday Times reported that the sport's governing body were conducting an investigation into the match, which India won by 29 runs in Mohali to progress to the final, where they beat Sri Lanka to claim their second World Cup title.

"The story carried by the newspaper, in which it has claimed that the ICC is investigating the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 semi-final between India and Pakistan, is baseless and misleading," ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat said.

"The ICC has no reason or evidence to require an investigation into this match.

"It is indeed sad for spurious claims to be made which only serve to cause doubt on the semi-final of one of the most successful ICC Cricket World Cups ever," he added.

It is the second time the ICC has felt moved to quash press speculation surrounding match fixing and the tournament after the Australia-Zimbabwe group game came under scrutiny.

The Times of India ran a report alleging corruption during the game on 22nd March before printing a front page apology for having fabricated the claims.

The report in The Sunday Times claimed it had seen evidence that players had been offered tens of thousands of dollars to fix parts of matches or entire matches, including the World Cup sem-final in Mohali.

The report also claimed that Indian bookmakers are involved in fixing English county games.

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