Man Held in London for Suspected Conspiracy to Defraud Cricket Bookmakers

Police in London said today they are investigating an alleged betting conspiracy in connection with the fourth cricket Test match between England and Pakistan.

The Metropolitan Police said a 35-year-old man had been arrested “on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud bookmakers.” Pakistan cricket team manager Yawar Saeed told Sky News in an interview that officers had taken statements and mobile phones from three of his players.

The police contacted the International Cricket Council, the England and Wales Cricket Board and the Pakistan Cricket Board after receiving “some information” from the News of the World newspaper.

“No players nor team officials have been arrested in relation to this incident,” the ICC, cricket’s governing body, said in a statement on its website. The ICC, ECB and PCB are “fully assisting” the police with the inquiry, it said.

The police are investigating allegations published by the tabloid newspaper today.

“The News of the World passed on some information to us,” the Metropolitan Police said in a statement. “Having considered that, we arrested a 35-year-old man yesterday on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud bookmakers.”

Saeed said Pakistan will continue its tour of England and complete its outstanding fixtures.

“As far as the allegations are concerned, I would still call them allegations,” Yawar told a televised news conference in London today. “It’s not for me within 24 hours to pass a judgment whether they are true or not.”

Pakistan today lost the fourth and final Test at Lord’s by an innings and 225 runs. England took the series 3-1.

Pakistan hasn’t been able to play matches at home because of security concerns after terrorists attacked the Sri Lanka team bus in Lahore last year. Earlier this year England acted as host nation for Pakistan games against Australia.