LONDON: Pakistan’s embattled cricket team were embroiled in allegations of match-fixing on Sunday after British police arrested a man on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud bookmakers.

The controversy erupted after the News of the World alleged some members of the Pakistan team were involved in a betting scam in the ongoing fourth and final Test against England at Lord’s.

Britain’s biggest-selling newspaper claimed several blatant no-balls had been delivered by Pakistan bowlers.

The weekly tabloid said it gave 150,000 pounds (230,000 dollars, 185,000 euros) to a middle man who correctly told them in advance precisely when those deliveries would be bowled.

“Following information received from the News of the World we have arrested a 35-year-old man on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud bookmakers,” a spokesman for London’s Metropolitan Police said.

Despite the latest controversy swirling around the game, the International Cricket Council (ICC) insisted the fourth Test would continue as scheduled on Sunday, adding that no “players nor team officials have been arrested in relation to this incident”.

Pakistan tour manager Yawar Saeed added: “I can confirm we are aware of the allegations. Scotland Yard (Metropolitan) police are with us now at our hotel and we are helping them with their enquiries.

“This is as much as I can say at the moment.”

The News of the World published images and dialogue from the encounter and a picture of what it said was one of the promised no-balls delivered on Friday.

It also ran a photograph of Pakistan captain Salman Butt standing with the man they claimed was the middleman, and one of their reporters.

The News of the World claimed their reporters had posed as front men for an Asian gambling cartel, paying 10,000 pounds to the alleged fixer as an upfront deposit.

They met again on Wednesday in a west London hotel room to hand over the rest of the money as their “entry ticket” into what they claimed was a “huge betting syndicate”.

They claimed the middle man then correctly predicted when the no-balls would be bowled.

The newspaper showed the alleged fixer with piles of cash on a table.

Meanwhile, the ICC said the match would continue as planned on Sunday at Lord’s, the spiritual home of the game.

“The International Cricket Council, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have been informed by the Metropolitan Police that a 35-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud bookmakers,” said an ICC statement.

“The Metropolitan Police have informed the ICC, ECB and PCB that their investigations continue and ICC, ECB and PCB, with the involvement of the ICC Anti Corruption and Security Unit, are fully assisting those enquiries.

“No players nor team officials have been arrested in relation to this incident and the fourth Test match will continue as scheduled on Sunday.

“As this is now subject to a police investigation neither ICC, ECB, PCB nor the ground authority, MCC (Marylebone Cricket Club), will make any further comment,” it added.

Pakistan, who have been dogged by ‘fixing’ allegations since the 1990s, collapsed spectacularly yet again Saturday to leave England closing in on an innings victory.

At stumps, Pakistan, following on, were 41 for four in their second innings, having been dismissed for just 74 first time around.

That left them still 331 runs adrift of England’s first innings 446 as the home team eyed a victory that would give them a 3-1 win in their final series before they begin the defence of the Ashes in Australia in November.

There was also a controversial finish to Pakistan’s 2006 Test series in England.

They forfeited the final match at The Oval in south London, having refused to take the field after tea on the fourth day because they’d been penalised for ball-tampering.

Pakistan have been unable to play matches at home since an armed attack on the Sri Lanka team bus in Lahore in March last year effectively turned the country into a ‘no-go area’ for international cricket.

LAHORE: Dozen of media persons have been subjected to the horrible torture by doctors in the presence of police at Jinnah Hospital here on Wednesday.

Tension began when media persons went to hospital to cover a demonstration staged by the relative of 60-year-old patient, who died due to alleged negligence of the doctor.

They doctors became annoyed when journalists asked them the reason for the death of patient. Instead of answering the questions, they started beating the media persons.

According to Geo correspondent Faisal Karim, media persons were invited for talks at the hospital’s conference room, where they were beaten again both by the doctors and police.

Faisal said he was also among the journalists, who were also severely beaten by the doctors-turned-rioters.

According to report, hospital’s main gate has been closed after the incident.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has taken the notice of incident and formed an inquiry committee.

KARACHI: Pakistan’s world record holder batsman Mohammad Yousuf Saturday said he had decided to retire next week in protest over an indefinite ban imposed on him by country’s cricket board. The 35-year-old Yousuf, who holds the world record for most runs in a calendar year with 1,788 made in 2006, was banned by an inquiry committee of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) two weeks ago.

“Yes, I have decided to retire as Pakistan player and my decision is not an emotional one,” Yousuf told AFP. “It’s of no use playing after such an insult which is unacceptable and I will announce my decision on Monday.” Yousuf led Pakistan on their twin tours of New Zealand and Australia between November and February after regular captain Younus Khan withdrew over a lack of form.

Last week Yousuf vowed to appeal. “Yes, I may still appeal, but a final decision will be taken on Monday,” said Yousuf who was also deprived of his annual central contract by the PCB last week, putting further question marks over his career. Yousuf said his commitment in playing for the country had not been rewarded by the cricket authorities. “I am deeply hurt because I have always played with commitment for my country and fans know this, but not those people who run cricket, this is a big tragedy.” “My 12-year career is impeccable and I have never let down anyone.”

RAWALPINDI: The PPP Punjab President Rana Aftab Ahmad Khan and senior provincial minister Raja Riaz Ahmad Khan have declared that enough is enough and from now on, the party would adopt the course of confrontation instead of the traditional conciliatory policy so far adopted.

They said Kamran Khan, Shaheen Sehbai, Ansar Abbasi and Dr Shahid Masood should not become movers and shakers in politics. The hands of those who are attempting to demolish the government would be amputated.

They were talking at the PPP provincial secretariat in Lahore on Monday after presiding over the meeting of the party’s executive council, federal council, district presidents and general secretaries. They said right from the beginning our politics had been based on ideology.

They warned that those targeting the Aiwan-e-Sadr and residing in palaces built of glass would not be spared. They said the PPP had offered tremendous sacrifices for democracy and the country’s security. Now that we are in power it is because of the leadership of Benazir Bhutto and Asif Ali Zardari.

Raja Riaz said power to the PPP had not come through charity but because of a heavy mandate given by the people. Criticizing Geo TV channel, he warned Kamran Khan and Dr. Shahid Masood to avoid becoming champions of politics. The hands of those who tried to dismantle the democratic government will be amputated.

Expressing complete confidence in the party leadership Raja Riaz said the PPP is facing a media trial but everyone must know that the party and Pakistan are inseparable.

PPP leaders also criticised Shaheen Sehbai, Group Editor of The News, and Ansar Abbasi, Editor Investigations of The News for their writings. It was alleged that Ansar Abbasi writes an elegy every day.

Earlier while addressing the meeting, PPP Punjab General Secretary Samiullah Khan said the party of Benazir Bhutto Shaheed would not be run according to “Terey, Merey Mutabiq” but the aspirations of the people. Lambasting Geo television channel, he said out of the 841 NRO beneficiaries only one man and the Swiss case was being singled out. Samiullah said the PPP would resist if the judiciary oversteps its constitutional mandate.

The PPP Punjab President Rana Aftab Ahmad Khan warned each and every organisation to confine their activities within the given parameters. He said we are not afraid of jails or police stations as we consider them as medals. Rana Aftab lambasted the intriguers and others who had launched criticism of the party leadership and said henceforth they will be confronted with full force

A ban has been imposed on airing of Geo News’ program ‘Meray Mutabiq’ from Dubai.

According to sources, the high government officials of Pakistan exerting pressure on the Dubai government had the airing of the program stopped.

Geo’s administration has said that this step of the government is tantamount to targeting the freedom of expression.

It may be mentioned here that the senior analyst Dr. Shahid Masood was the anchor of ‘Meray Mutabiq’.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009