Pakistan says no bans over betting probe

Pakistan’s cricket board said yesterday it would not suspend players accused over a betting scam while the claims are investigated, but reports said they would be dropped for the remaining matches in England.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has promised “prompt and decisive action” if the allegations made by a British Sunday newspaper are proven.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has summoned the players at the centre of the claims to a meeting in London today, but said it would not suspend any player while police continue to investigate.

The News of the World alleges that a middleman took £150,000 to arrange for Pakistani players to deliberately bowl no-balls in the final Test match against England in London last week.

The information would be of enormous value to the spot-betting industry, in which money is wagered on specific incidents in matches.

The beleaguered Pakistan team was preparing for the rest of the tour in Taunton, southwest England, where officials insisted on holding a training session behind closed doors yesterday.

But three of the players named in the allegations – Test team captain Salman Butt and bowlers Mohammad Aamer and Mohammad Asif – have been summoned to a meeting with top Pakistani officials in London today.