Pakistan cricket players unpopular over match fixing row

Atlanta News.Net
Saturday 4th September, 2010

The International Cricket Council has refused to comment on the report in London’s News of the World, that four Pakistani players have been involved in a match fixing scam.

Last Sunday a major scandal erupted when the newspaper printed allegations of a betting scam involving three players, that immediately rocked the world of cricket.

The paper has now said a fourth Pakistan player is being probed over the claims, but declined to name him.

The International Cricket Council has charged Pakistan Test captain Salman Butt and bowlers Mohammad Aamer and Mohammad Asif under its anti-corruption code.

Aamer, who is only 18, Asif and Butt were also questioned by police about the claims on Friday but were released without charge.

The England and Wales Cricket Board is now waiting to see if a match between the UK side and Pakistan will go ahead on Sunday.

The allegations all relate to the recent fourth and final Test between England and Pakistan in London, which ended with an England victory, in which the News of the World said deliberate no-balls had been bowled.

The News of the World last week alleged that it paid Mazhar Majeed, an agent for several Pakistan players, 150,000 pounds in return for advance knowledge of no-balls, which could then be bet upon.

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