Fielding coach Julien Fountain speaks to the squad members. – Photo by AFP
Fielding coach Julien Fountain speaks to the squad members. – Photo by AFP

ISLAMABAD: Members of Pakistan squad will remain under the surveillance of anti-corruption cell officials of both the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Board of Cricket Control of India (BCCI) during their tour to India, Dawn has learnt reliably.

According to one official based at the PCB headquarters in Lahore, the cricketers were specifically given briefing about possible threats in India during their brief stay.

Pakistan will be seen in action in three ODIs and two Twenty20 matches in Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Kolkata and Delhi from Dec 25, 2012 to Jan 6, 2013.

“We don’t want to see repeat of the match-fixing saga which happened in England. Besides, on this tour, cricketers are strictly advised that they are not supposed to leave the dressing rooms or their hotels without the consent of the team management,” said the official not willing to share his name.

Pakistan team earned a bad name when its players Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamir were proved guilty of spot-fixing in England.

The players were later banned by the ICC and also had to undergo punishment.

“We want the cricketers to act as cricketers and stay away from suspect individuals. They should report to the team management if they are approached by such individuals,” maintained the official.

Another official who was part of such negotiations maintained that the team would be under surveillance of anti-corruption cell of the ICC and the BCCI.

“The security has been assured by the BCCI, besides we trust their security and hopefully there will be no security issues in India at all,” hoped the official. The team is playing against arch-rivals India after a span of about five years.

Meanwhile, back here in Islamabad, the Federal Investigation Agency’s financial crime wing would monitor match-fixing net specifically in Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Sialkot and Peshawar.

“Our officials will keep a close eye on the betting net and will ensure to plug it,” said the official.

Meanwhile, despite multiple attempts, no official of the PCB media wing was available to comment on the matter.

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