ICC gives Liam Plunkett clean-chit after social media speculation of ball tampering
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The ICC has confirmed that Liam Plunkett did not tamper with the ball in their second ODI against Pakistan amidst social media speculations. Unverified footage from Saturday's match highlighted Plunkett moving fingers over the ball whilst preparing to run in and one side looking extremely rough.
After England secured a 12-run win against Pakistan on Saturday, a video did rounds on social media for possible ball-tampering scandal and ICC took immediate stock of the proceedings. However, doing their investigation, the governing body of the sport found out that nothing untoward had occurred.
"The ICC is aware of the unverified video that is currently circulating on social media. The match officials are comfortable that there was no attempt to change the condition of the ball or any evidence of this on the over by over examinations of the ball throughout the game," the ICC said in a statement on Sunday.
It is understood that Plunkett himself raised the issue with officials after becoming aware of the allegations and he has since been exonerated by two on-field umpires Chris Gaffaney and Paul Reiffel, with the agreement of match referee Richie Richardson.
However, a clear look at the video does not show any evidence of wrongdoing by the English pacer and the condition of the ball would appear to be consistent with one side being bashed around during such a high-scoring game.
