Cricket: Pakistan bowlers in match-fixing scandal - reports

The fourth test between England and Pakistan at Lord's will continue as scheduled, despite reports that two Pakistan bowlers allegedly delivered deliberate no-balls in their side's current test match against England as part of a "betting scam".

According to the News of the World, Pakistan pacemen Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif were paid to bowl no-balls as part of a multi-million dollar match-fixing ring.

The duo bowled six no-balls between them in England's first innings in the fourth test at Lord's.

Scotland Yard police said in a statement: "Following information received from the News of the World, we have today arrested a 35-year-old man on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud bookmakers."

The man was later confirmed to be Mazhar Majeed by his brother and business partner Azhar Majeed.

The International Cricket Council said it was aware of the situation and it, along with the England and Wales Cricket Board and the Pakistan Cricket Board, was "fully assisting" police with their inquiries.

A statement issued by the 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".

The News of the World also claims that Pakistan captain Salman Butt is the ringleader of the cheating scam and names wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal as one of seven corrupt players in the squad.

The newspaper discovered the alleged betting scam after arranging contact with a London-based match fixer earlier in the week.

It says it has footage of undercover reporters giving £150,000 ($NZ327,470) to a middleman who promised to arrange for Pakistan to bowl "no balls" during a match, and telling them exactly when the no-balls would occur, proving the game was rigged.

The newspaper says it has passed all evidence on to police.

The News of the World quoted Majeed as saying up to seven players in the Pakistan team could be "bought" for cash.

"I've been doing it (match fixing) with them for about 2 1/2 years and we've made masses of money," Majeed said.

Azhar Majeed, who says he and his brother are player agents, admitted he had been asked to leave Pakistan's team hotel during the third test at the Oval, after the team's security manager told him he was top of the list of people banned from entering players' rooms.

"Security kept on hassling me, and I couldn't understand what it was for, the reason I was top of the list," Azhar Majeed said. "I couldn't understand why. I found it a bit ludicrous for him to be chucking me out of hotel. Politely I went, but I have absolutely nothing to hide."

Pakistan's team manager confirmed on Sunday that police are questioning the side over the allegations.

"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.

Yawar 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 cooperating with the police," he told Reuters.

Any player found guilty of involvement in match fixing faces a life ban from the sport.

Meanwhile Pakistan is staring at a heavy defeat in the test match after being dismissed for just 74 in their first innings.

At stumps on day three Pakistan were struggling at 41 for four in their second innings, trailing England by 331 runs.

Butt top-scored for the visitors in the first innings with 26.

- AP, NZ HERALD STAFF