New Delhi: 
The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Monday dismissed the claim made by a newspaper that it is investigating the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 semi-final between India and Pakistan.
In a statement, the ICC Chief Executive Mr Haroon Lorgat said: "The story carried by the newspaper, in which it has claimed that the ICC is investigating the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 semi-final between India and Pakistan, is baseless and misleading. The ICC has no reason or evidence to require an investigation into this match.
"It is indeed sad for spurious claims to be made which only serve to cause doubt on the semi-final of one of the most successful ICC Cricket World Cups ever," added the release.
The ICC statement comes on the back of reports in The Sunday Times which suggested that bookmakers offer thousands of pounds to the players. About 44,000 pounds to batsmen for slow scoring, 50,000 pounds for bowlers who concede runs and 750,000 pounds for a player or official who can guarantee a match outcome.
The newspaper's report also alleged that corruption tainted last year's World Cup semi-final between India and Pakistan.
The fixers claimed to have recruited players from countries, including England, using a Bollywood actress as a honeytrap. (Also read: Match-fixing: Bookies using Bollywood honey traps to lure cricketers?)
A Delhi bookmaker has told the newspaper that county cricket "is a good market" as it involves "low-profile matches and nobody monitors them. That's why good money can be made there without any hassle".
The paper said it had passed on all the informations it gathered from its investigation to the ICC, who said it would investigate into these "serious allegations".
"We are grateful for the information you have provided and will launch an inquiry into these serious allegations.
"Betting on cricket in the legal and illegal markets continues to grow rapidly and, with many, many millions of dollars being bet on every match, the threat of corrupters seeking to influence the game has not gone away," an ICC spokesperson had been quoted as saying.
In its release the ICC added that "In keeping with its policy, the ICC will make no further comment on matters pertaining to the Anti-Corruption and Safety Unit (ACSU)."
(With Inputs from PTI)
