Scandal hits Pakistan
08/29/2010 12:02:50 AM
A man has been arrested and the Pakistan cricket team questioned after allegations of match fixing in the ongoing Test match against England.
Reports in Britain have alleged some members of the Pakistan cricket team have been paid to deliberately bowl no-balls during the Test at Lords - the fourth of the series.
England are well in control of the Test after posting 446 and skittling Pakistan for just 74, with the tourists 4-41 in their second dig.
A report in The News of the World claims that 35-year-old Mazher Majeed was given 150,000 pounds to entice Pakistan opening bowlers Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif into bowling no-balls at specific moments of the match.
The report also implicates Pakistan captain Salman Butt and wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal in the scandal.
"I can confirm that we are aware of the allegations and Scotland Yard police are with us now at the hotel and we are helping them with their enquiries. This is as much as I can say at the moment," Pakistan team manager Yawar Saeed said.
The arrest was confirmed by Scotland Yard police: "Following information received from The News of the World we have today arrested a 35-year old man on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud bookmakers," a statement said on Saturday.