Probe Hashan's match-fixing claims: Ehsan Mani 06 May 2011

Karachi, May 6 (IANS) Former International Cricket Council (ICC) president Ehsan Mani has demanded that the game's governing body investigate match-fixing claims made by ex-Sri Lanka captain Hashan Tillakaratne.

'First of all, I am surprised with the ICC's silence on the issue,' Mani told The Express Tribune. 'Tillakaratne's statement is serious and the ICC should react accordingly. It should clear its stance on such matters. Their silence will not serve in its efforts to curb corruption. They should play on the front-foot on this matter and their policy to keep mum is beyond my comprehension.'

Tillakaratne, who played 83 Tests and 200 One-Day Internationals (ODIs) in a career spanning 18 years, claimed that his teammates have been involved in match-fixing for almost two decades. The comments from the former batsman drew mixed reactions, with many of his teammates including Muttiah Muralitharan and Mahela Jayawardene, besides Sri Lanka Cricket, questioning them and asking him to provide proof.

Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif backed the Sri Lankan's claims, adding that if Tillakaratne was to reveal names, a lot of former cricketers from the subcontinent will be exposed.

Joining the debate now is Mani, who led the ICC from 2003 to 2006, questioning the role of the ICC in the matter.

Following his claims, Tillakaratne offered to reveal the names of those involved in match-fixing to the ICC and Mani felt that the body's Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ASCU) should avail the opportunity straight away.

'If the ASCU has not contacted Tillakaratne yet, it should not delay in acquiring information from him. You never know from where you can get credible information that can help in controlling the menace,' Mani contended.

However, the ICC has remained tightlipped on the matter and refused to share details of its acitivity.

'The ICC does not comment on ASCU issues,' the ICC's head of media and communication was quoted as saying in an interview.

Mani also backed former captain Imran Khan's suggestion to keep a constant check on players and regularly monitor their bank accounts.

'It's a good suggestion and I feel that the players should voluntarily give details of their accounts,' he said while recalling that the ICC once made an unsuccessful effort to keep a check on players' accounts.

'In 2000, many West Indies players were found involved in a fixing scam, after which the ICC decided to keep a check on their accounts. But the players went to court, which ruled it a violation of human rights,' Mani said.