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Lord's Test starts on time after man arrested

Last updated on: August 29, 2010 15:33 IST

Play began as scheduled on the fourth day of the fourth and final Test between England and Pakistan at Lord's on Sunday after a man was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud bookmakers.

Scorecard

On Saturday, police said they had arrested a 35-year-old man for offering bribes to some Pakistan players for spot fixing during the Test after allegations in the Sunday tabloid newspaper, The News of the World.

Spot fixing involves betting on individual incidents during a match.

- The betting scandal

In a statement on Sunday, the ICC said its Anti-Corruption and Security Unit is assisting the police with their inquiries.

"No players nor team officials have been arrested in relation to this incident and the fourth test will continue as scheduled on Sunday (1000GMT)," the ICC said.

Pakistan team manager Yawar Saeed confirmed on Saturday that London metropolitan police officials had questioned him and several players in connection with corruption allegations during the final Test of the series.

The News of the World said the arrested man had correctly identified three no-balls which were bowled by pre-arrangement in England's first innings by opening bowlers Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif.

Yawar told Pakistan's Geo Super channel that police officials were recording statements in the team hotel from Amir, Asif, captain Salman Butt and wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal.

"They have also spoken to me and I have tried to answer their queries. We will cooperate all the way with them in these investigations," Yawar said.

Yawar said police had told him they had arrested a man in connection with the allegations but he denied reports that officers had confiscated mobile phones and laptops or that they had found money stashed in players' rooms.

"That is not correct, but we are also in touch with our high commission in London and co-operating with the police," he said.

Geo News channel also reported that Pakistan's high commissioner Wajid Shamsul Hasan had spoken to Scotland Yard detectives.

England are on the verge of victory after Pakistan collapsed to 74 all out in their first innings on Saturday. They are 41 for four after following on, still trailing by 331 runs.

Source: REUTERS
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