Nawaz lashes out at ICC's ACSU

Controversial former pacer Sarfaraz Nawaz has lashed out at the ICC's anti-corruption and security unit, terming it as a "useless" body.

Nawaz believes the present anti-corruption mechanism is not enough to curb the spot-fixing menace.

"Even the presence of professional detectives in the ACSU cannot do any good unless they are competent and have the knowledge and skills to spot out incidents of corruption in the sport," he told TV one channel.

He suggested that the ICC include former Test players in the ACSU for this purpose.

"I don't think the detectives with all there skills can judge a wrongdoing in a cricket match. To achieve the desired results we need cricketers or people who understand the game in the ACSU to assist them," he said.

Nawaz is presently in London attending the spot-fixing trial at the Southwark court against banned players Salman Butt and Muhammad Asif.

Muhammad Aamir and Pakistani-born agent and alleged bookmaker Mazhar Majeed are due to appear in court on November 3 and 4.

Nawaz has been a vocal critic of the anti-corruption measures taken by the ICC and its failure to take action against players.

The former pacer even questioned the sincerity of the ACSU officials, adding that he himself presented match-fixing evidences to the unit in 2001, prior to a Test match between Pakistan and England at Lord's.

However, according to him, his plea fell on deaf ears.

"I had a meeting with the ACSU a few days before the match which began on May 17th at Lord's. I not only informed the officials about the result but also told them that the match would end in three days, but, to my surprise, they (ACSU) did not take it seriously," recalled Nawaz.

The whole first day of the above-mentioned match, which started on May 17th, 2001, was washed out and later it ended on the fourth day in England's favour, with an innings and 9 runs.

"The attitude of the ACSU was disappointing and enough for me to gauge their commitment and sincerity level," said Nawaz, who has played 55 Tests and 45 ODIs between 1969 and 1984.

The spot-fixing trial has caught the attention of the Pakistani people who are waiting anxiously for the verdict of the jury which, on Friday, went into its second day of deliberations.