The News of the World alleged that some members of the Pakistan team were involved in cheating in the fourth and final Test at Lord’s.
“Following information received from the News of the World we have arrested a 35-year old man on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud bookmakers,” said a spokesman for London’s Metropolitan Police.
‘I can confirm that we are aware of the allegations and Scotland Yard police are with us now at the hotel and we are helping them with their enquiries,” team manager Yawar Saeed told The Associated Press. “This is as much as I can say at the moment.”
News of the World, Britain’s biggest-selling newspaper, alleged that two Pakistan bowlers delivered three blatant no-balls to order.
The weekly tabloid said it gave 150,000 pounds to a middle man who correctly told them precisely when the deliveries would be bowled.
The newspaper published images and dialogue from the encounter and a picture of what it said was one of the promised no-balls on Friday.
Pakistan collapsed spectacularly yet again in the series as England closed in on an innings victory on Saturday.
At stumps, Pakistan, following-on, were 41 for four in their second innings, having been made to follow-on after they were 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 last series before begin the defence of the Ashes in Australia in November. —Agencies
