ICC asks boards to introduce anti-corruption code

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has directed all member countries to introduce an anti-corruption code in their domestic leagues by April in the wake of spot-fixing allegations against the Pakistan cricketers.

Pakistan batsman Salman Butt and pacemen Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif were suspended under the ICC anti-corruption code in September, after allegations of spot-fixing.

Spot-fixing is the practice whereby a specific part of a game is fixed in order that gamblers may profit. This can be something as minor as the timing of a no ball or a wide delivery in cricket.

The ICC has written to all members to review their existing processes and procedures against corruption threats and where necessary introduce new measures to stamp out corruption, chief executive Haroon Lorgat said in a statement.

The governing body of the sport also commended the efforts of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in implementing the ICC's directives.

"In helping the PCB, the ICC has prepared a template domestic anti-corruption code, which incorporates in a consistent manner the same principles, offences procedures and sanctions as those set out in the ICC anti-corruption code," Lorgat said.

"It would be of great benefit to all stakeholders within the game for all ICC members to adopt a domestic anti-corruption code and a template will immediately be sent to all full members," he added.