by Anton Johan
The News of the World publication has accused members of the Pakistani cricket team of being involved in a cheating scam in a recent Test Match between England and Pakistan.
The newspaper claims that it handed £150K to a middleman, identified as Mazhar Majeed, who said that he could arrange for Pakistani players to bowl "no bowls" during the match.
"No bowls" essentially entails an illegal delivery where a bowler's foot crosses the line. The run is therefore awarded to the opposing team, and a new ball has to be bowled.
Spot betting takes place on cricket where punters predict how many "no balls" will happen.
The alleged match fixing middleman was filmed by reporters from the tabloid who posed as representatives of an Asian gambling cartel.
The video was handed to the police who alerted the International Cricket Council.
Their team manager, Yawar Saeed said in a statement regarding the match fixing 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."
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: "Following information received from the News of the World, we have arrested a 35 year old man on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud bookmakers."
Bags were seen being taken away from the hotel where the Pakistani team are staying.
Mazhar and his brother Azhar Majeed are agents who represent a number of Pakistani players.
Team manager, Saeed said in an interview: "When we started this tour, I told the players they should not be entertaining those two in their hotel rooms. Those boys are their agent and, anywhere we tour in the world, I tell our players that they are not allowed to have their agents in their hotel rooms. It is the policy on the tour."
