Spot-fixing ban to be discussed at ICC meet

The ban imposed on three Pakistani cricketers for spot-fixing and final evaluation on the readiness of the three host nations for the Cricket World Cup will be on the top of agenda when the ICC Executive Board meets here on February 15-16.

The ICC Executive Board will be briefed on the ban handed on Salman Butt, Mohammed Asif and Mohammed Amir after an independent anti-doping tribunal found them guilty of spot-fixing during the fourth Test against England at Lord's last August.

Butt, Asif and Amir were banned for ten, seven and five years respectively.

"Following regular briefings, the ICC Executive Board will receive a final report on the successful prosecution of three Pakistan Cricketers -- Salman Butt, Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif -- in Doha, Qatar on spot fixing charges under the ICC Anti Corruption Code," an ICC statement said.

"I am sure the Board will appreciate closure of this matter and acknowledge the good work performed by the ICC legal team and the ICC Anti Corruption and Security Unit in dealing with this complex issue," ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat said in the statement.

"This has been a testing time for many of us and I am pleased that we were decisive and able to receive the independent Tribunal's verdict and sanction before the ICC Cricket World Cup starts," Lorgat said.

"At a later stage we will follow up with a detailed review and look to enhance our Anti Corruption Code and our protocols and procedures following this experience. The Board will also receive an update from the Pakistan Task Team," he said.

The readiness of the three host nations -- Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka -- for the February 19-April 2 World Cup will also be discussed in the two-day meeting in the first of four scheduled ICC meetings this year.

"With the Opening Ceremony in Dhaka only 48 hours after the ICC Board meeting there will be a final report on the readiness of the three host nations -- Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka -- to stage the ICC's flagship event which will begin on 19 February in Dhaka and culminate with the final in Mumbai on 2 April," the ICC said.

Other important issues the Board will consider include the strategy for the next five years (2011-15) following a joint work session on February 14 with members of ICC Chief Executives' Committee and recommendation of ICC Governance and Review committee on the qualification or otherwise of Members' participation in the 10-team World Cup in 2015.

"The Strategic Plan is, of course, essential to steer the ICC during the next five years and I am grateful that the directors and CEC members will have spent so much time to help craft the strategy for world cricket," Lorgat said.