ICC Started Probe Before Lord's Test

Cardiff: Pakistan's cricketers were being investigated by the ICC for fixing in a one-day series even before their contentious fourth Test against England last month.

The International Cricket Council suspended three players last week after charging them under its anti-corruption code but had already written to two players to ask for telephone records as part of an investigation into possible contact with bookmakers.

Britain's newspapers widely reported that Test captain Salman Butt and wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal were the players contacted.

Butt is one of three players suspended last week for the ICC on suspicion of fixing by arranging for deliberate no-balls to be bowled against England during the fourth Test at Lord's.

Pakistan plays England in the teams' second Twenty20 in Cardiff on Tuesday.

"There will be absolutely no comment," team manager Yawar Saeed said when asked about the investigation. "I am not going to say anything on the allegations. They are there and we are here, getting on with our jobs on the tour."

A phone call to Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ejaz Butt went unanswered.

Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer were suspended Thursday following a scandal that came to light nine days ago following an undercover sting operation by the News of the World newspaper.

All three could face life bans, if found guilty. The suspensions relate only to the fourth Test against England, which began August 26.

Scores	Upcoming	Results
Australia vs India - 1st Test West Indies vs Bangladesh - 1st Test 1st ODI - Zimbabwe v Pakistan - November 24, 07:30 GMT 2nd ODI - Zimbabwe v Pakistan - November 26, 07:30 GMT 3rd ODI - Sri Lanka v New Zealand at Kandy No results 3rd T20I - Australia v Pakistan at Hobart Australia won by 7 wickets (with 52 balls remaining)

Related links

Pakistan tour of England 2010 News

ICC Give Clean Chit to England-Pakistan Oval ODI [+]

The ICC concluded that there was "no compelling evidence" to suspect anyone of wrongdoing in the third one-day international between England and Pakistan.

Pakistan Return Home After Disastrous England Tour [+]

Afridi called Pakistan's scandal-marred tour of England the "most difficult" of his career as the team staged a low-key return after four gruelling months away.

Akhtar Again Caught on Camera Tampering With Ball [+]

Pakistan cricket was embroiled in another controversy after Shoaib Akhtar was caught on camera tampering with the ball during the final ODI against England.

England Stun Pakistan Complete Another Series Victory [+]

England completed a clean sweep of their 2010 home series when they defeated Pakistan by 121 runs in the fifth and final one-day international.

Four Pakistan Players Clear Random Dope Tests [+]

Four Pakistan players including captain Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Akhtar, Kamran Akmal and Mohammed Yousuf, currently touring England have cleared their respective dope tests conducted by the WADA.

Pakistan Tour Ends with One-day Decider [+]

Pakistan's scandal-filled tour of England reaches its conclusion at the Rose Bowl on Wednesday with the deciding match of a closely fought one-day series.

Akhtar Fit For Series Decider at Rose Bowl ODI Against England [+]

Pakistan team manager Yawar Saeed has confirmed that fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar is fit to participate in Wednesday's fifth ODI against England at Rose Bowl in Hampshire.

Pakistan Draw Series With Spirited Win at Lord's [+]

Pakistan recovered from a terrible start to their day to complete a spirited victory in the fourth one-day international against England at Lord's.

Collingwood Return As Pakistan Elect to Bat Against England [+]

Pakistan won the toss and opted to bat first in the fourth ODI against England, which has been tarnished by further spot-fixing allegations against the tourists.

Pakistan Looks Series Levelling at Lord's [+]

A victory for England will see them get their hands on the ODI series trophy in addition to the test and the T20 trophies, whereas a win for Pakistan will get them to draw level with England at 2-2.