ISSUE
Friday, August 15, 2025
Volume 16 . Issue 72
London: Mazhar Majeed, the prime suspect of an alleged betting scam involving Pakistan cricketers, was out on bail on Monday here, even as the cricket world remained stunned since Saturday's expose by British tabloid "News of the World".
The 35-year-old-man had been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud bookmakers following the tabloid's claim that he took money in return for exact details on no-balls in the Lord's Test match between England and Pakistan.
British police bailed Majeed without charge late Sunday.
"A 35-year-old man has been bailed until a date in the future," a Scotland Yard spokesman said.
Scotland Yard detectives have also grilled Pakistan captain Salman Butt and two bowlers- Mohammad Aamer and Mohammad Asif- as part of their investigation.
Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said the claims "have bowed our heads in shame", as he launched an investigation.
The News of the World said it paid Majeed 150,000 pounds (230,000 dollars, 185,000 euros) in return for advance details about the timing of three no-balls in the fourth and final Test, which England won on Sunday to take the series 3-1.
The report said Aamer and Asif delivered no-balls at the exact points in the match indicated by the alleged middleman.
Pakistan team manager Yawar Saeed said detectives had on Saturday visited the team's hotel, where Butt and the bowlers had been interviewed about the allegations.
All three gave statements to the police, who took away their mobile phones. Scotland Yard said they could not discuss persons interviewed as part of an inquiry.
Butt said he would not resign as the Test team captaincy over the claims. "Anybody can stand out and say anything about you, that doesn't make them true," he said.
In Pakistan, Gilani said a probe was under way.
"The latest fixing allegations have bowed our heads in shame," the prime minister told reporters in his home town Multan.
"I have ordered a thorough inquiry into these allegations so that action could be taken against those who are proven guilty."
President Asif Ali Zardari has expressed his disappointment at the claims and is being informed of developments. The country's federal sports minister Ijaz Jakhrani promised that any players found guilty would be severely punished.
London: Mazhar Majeed, the prime suspect of an alleged betting scam involving Pakistan cricketers, was out on bail on Monday here, even as the cricket world remained stunned since Saturday's expose by British tabloid "News of the World". The 35-year-old-man had been arrested on suspicion of...
London: Mazhar Majeed, the prime suspect of an alleged betting scam involving Pakistan cricketers, was out on bail on Monday here, even as the cricket world remained stunned since Saturday's expose by British tabloid "News of the World".
The 35-year-old-man had been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud bookmakers following the tabloid's claim that he took money in return for exact details on no-balls in the Lord's Test match between England and Pakistan.
British police bailed Majeed without charge late Sunday.
"A 35-year-old man has been bailed until a date in the future," a Scotland Yard spokesman said.
Scotland Yard detectives have also grilled Pakistan captain Salman Butt and two bowlers- Mohammad Aamer and Mohammad Asif- as part of their investigation.
Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said the claims "have bowed our heads in shame", as he launched an investigation.
The News of the World said it paid Majeed 150,000 pounds (230,000 dollars, 185,000 euros) in return for advance details about the timing of three no-balls in the fourth and final Test, which England won on Sunday to take the series 3-1.
The report said Aamer and Asif delivered no-balls at the exact points in the match indicated by the alleged middleman.
Pakistan team manager Yawar Saeed said detectives had on Saturday visited the team's hotel, where Butt and the bowlers had been interviewed about the allegations.
All three gave statements to the police, who took away their mobile phones. Scotland Yard said they could not discuss persons interviewed as part of an inquiry.
Butt said he would not resign as the Test team captaincy over the claims. "Anybody can stand out and say anything about you, that doesn't make them true," he said.
In Pakistan, Gilani said a probe was under way.
"The latest fixing allegations have bowed our heads in shame," the prime minister told reporters in his home town Multan.
"I have ordered a thorough inquiry into these allegations so that action could be taken against those who are proven guilty."
President Asif Ali Zardari has expressed his disappointment at the claims and is being informed of developments. The country's federal sports minister Ijaz Jakhrani promised that any players found guilty would be severely punished.
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