PCB leaves out banned cricketers from anti-graft programme

"The three of them have filed appeals against their bans with the international court of arbitration for sports. So technically the matter is now subjudice," said former captain Wasim Bari, who heads the educational programme.

After last year's spot-fixing incident, involving three cricketers, the PCB is now working overtime to minimise corruption in national cricket on a war footing. The trio were banned by the International Cricket Council (ICC) after they were incolved in spot-fixing in last year's Lord's Test.

As a preliminary step, players, along with local coaches and officials, were given training and lectures on the awareness of the ICC's code of conduct during the last domestic session that culminated with the conclusion of the Patron Trophy Grade-II.

The board started the programme following the ICC’s guidelines in the aftermath of the spot-fixing scandal.

In a bid to increase the efficiency of its programme, the PCB has prepared an instruction manual in Urdu and English in accordance with the ICC Anti Security and Corruption Unit’s (ASCU) code of conduct.

“It’s a comprehensive manual which covers all aspects,” Bari said. “The manual has been distributed in all regions and it is obligatory for all players to have a thorough look at it. Players will be tested during training sessions in the Twenty20 tournament in June.”

Bari insisted that the book featuring the ASCU instructions will help in spreading awareness against corruption.  “So far we are getting help from local officials but we may hire experts from abroad in advanced stages. In the next stages, players would be given instructions on the racism and dress codes. We also have plans to install sign boards restricting mobile or laptop usage in all domestic grounds.”