ICC ACU investigating Zimbabwe v Windies Test series following fixing allegations

The Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) of the International Cricket Council (ICC) has recently confirmed that the investigations are on for the recently concluded Zimbabwe v Windies Test series. In a historic Test series of some proportions, the Zimbabwean side had hosted the Windies team for two Test matches. The visitors went on to win the first Test quite convincingly.

In the second Test, the host fought hard to secure their first ever drawn Test match in 27 years. At the same time, the overall scoreline of 1-0 in the Test series gave the Windies their first overseas Test series win in almost 5 years. However, soon after the conclusion of the series, the series came under the scanner of fixing approaches.

Zimbabwe captain Graeme Cremer reported that he was approached by a former Zimbabwean Cricket official to fix some parts of the matches. Cremer was quick to report the approach made to him to the Zimbabwe Cricket board. The ZC then forwarded the issue to the ICC. While there was no official confirmation regarding the same earlier, now, as per the reports in Cricbuzz, the ICC have confirmed that the ACU is looking in to the matter.

“While we do not comment on the specifics of ACU investigations while they are underway, I can confirm that an investigation is underway in Zimbabwe,” an ICC spokesperson said.

ACU in action at various grounds

This is the second instance of an illegal approach made to an international cricket in the last couple of months. Earlier, Pakistan skipper Sarfraz Ahmed was reportedly approached by a bookie to fix matches in the UAE during the fixtures against Sri Lanka. The ACU is also looking in to the Pune pitch fiasco. The pitch curator at the venue, Pandurang Salgaonkar, was found to be guilty of agreeing to tamper the pitch ahead of the India v New Zealand ODI match.