Betting and match-fixing issue was discussed at the International Cricket Council (ICC) meeting in England last week, a spokesman for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said.
Without revealing the details of the discussion, the spokesman said a newly drafted proposal was circulated among the participants for deliberations.
``Since it was the first paper of its nature, the members requested to put off the discussion till next ICC meeting,'' he said. ICC meets again in September. The venue will be announced later.
According to the proposal, match-fixing and betting will be investigated by the game's governing body.
``A panel will be formed comprising former Test stalwarts and even some members of the ICC,'' the spokesman stated, adding: ``Basically, the aim is to curb the growing allegations of betting and match-fixing.''
The PCB official said unlike the 1994-95 incident in which the Australian trio accused a Pakistan cricketer and Pakistan conducted investigations, the matter will be reported to the ICC committee who will probe the issue through its own resources.
However, the spokesman stated it was difficult to prove betting and match-fixing. ``How can you convict an individual? How will you gather evidence? These are some of the issues that will be discussed in the next ICC meeting.''
The chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Khalid Mahmood, meanwhile said from Lahore that Pakistan has proposed the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) to organise an Asian Test Championship like the Asia Cup one-day tournament.
Mahmood said a three-member committee has been formed to draft the format of the tournament. Asif Iqbal (CBFS), Ehsan Mani (Pakistan) and Raj Singh (India) are the members of the committee. They have been instructed to submit the blue-prints within two months.
``Test World Championship appears difficult at present. But we can have our regional tournament. The championship will be held under the auspices of the ACC and the ICC will have nothing to do with it,'' Mahmood said.
Mahmood said the initial suggestion was to hold the tournament on neutral territory. ``Sharjah and Dhaka are the two grounds where the championship can be staged.''
The PCB chairman stated emphasis was laid on the Under-19 level and there was a suggestion of holding World Cup after every two years.
Mahmood said the West Indies, in the ICC meeting, offered to hold the 2007 World Cup. ``They have been instructed to submit the feasibility report.''
The 2003 World Cup has already been allocated to South Africa by the ICC.
Mahmood stated that during the London conference, he also met his Indian counterparts. He stated that Pakistan's tour of India early next year was on as far as the two boards were concerned. He further said he has received no reservations from the Australians regarding their forthcoming tour of Pakistan.
Mahmood said the ICC were seriously considering to increase the penalty for illegal deliveries. He said the ICC might penalise the team with two runs for each no-ball plus the number of runs scored off that delivery. Similarly, a wide ball might cost two runs in the new regulations likely to be enforced soon.