Pakistan betting scam probe begins

By: Julian Guyer

TAUNTON - Three Pakistan players, embroiled in betting scam allegations, headed to London yesterday to face questioning, which is almost certain to sideline them from the rest of the team’s tour of England.

Test captain, Salman Butt, plus bowlers Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif, look set to miss Pakistan’s match with county side Somerset in Taunton Thursday, a warm-up match before their limited overs internationals against England.
The trio were due to face questions from Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ijaz Butt and Wajid Shamsul Hasan, Pakistan’s high commissioner (ambassador) to Britain, in London today. It appears increasingly likely the trio will play no further part in the tour amid mounting calls for the trio to be barred from playing while the probe into the allegations is still ongoing. Following the Somerset warm-up, Pakistan play two Twenty20 matches against England in Cardiff on Sunday and Tuesday, followed by five one-day internationals.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has promised “prompt and decisive action” if the “spot-fixing” allegations, linked to betting rings, made by Britain’s biggest-selling newspaper, are proven.
The ICC’s chief executive, Haroon Lorgat, hopes there will be “some sort of conclusion” to the probe within the next few days.
England’s players meanwhile are reportedly reluctant to line up against a Pakistan team containing the tainted trio, according to Professional Cricketers’ Association chief executive Angus Porter. – Nampa-AFP

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