Pakistan has suspended the contracts of three cricketers under investigation for spot-fixing during a recent tour of England in a scandal that has rocked the world game, officials said yesterday.

Former captain Salman Butt and fast bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer face charges of alleged spot-fixing during the tour and have been excluded from Pakistan’s current fixtures against South Africa in the United Arab Emirates.

“The central contracts of Salman, Asif and Aamer have been suspended because the PCB (Pakistan Cricket Board) only gives contracts to players who can play for Pakistan,” PCB legal adviser Taffazul Rizvi told AFP.

“Until their cases are decided, they can’t get any benefits from the Board,” Rizvi said.

The scandal broke after a report by British tabloid The News of the World prompted Scotland Yard to launch an investigation into allegations of spot-fixing during the Lord’s Test against England in August.

Police raided the team’s hotel in London and questioned Salman, Aamer, Asif and bowler Wahab Riaz, but they have yet to level any charges.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) suspended the trio and late last month rejected appeals from Salman and Aamer. Asif withdrew his appeal.

The ICC code of conduct carries a minimum of five-year punishment if corruption charges are proved. The maximum punishment is a life ban.

The PCB gave annual contracts to its top 18 players in March.

Salman and Asif were contracted to receive 250,000 rupees (2,900 dollars) monthly, while Aamer was placed in a lower category which earned him a monthly salary of 175,000 rupees.

The PCB last month barred the suspended players from using practice facilities at the national cricket academy in Lahore.