18 Mar 2011

Pakistani spot-fixing accused face trial

5:53 am on 18 March 2011

The Three Pakistani cricketers accused of spot-fixing in a test match against England last year have been ordered to stand trial in Britain in May.

The former captain Salman Butt and fast bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer, and their British-based agent Mazheer Majeed appeared before a London magistrate who told them there was clear evidence against all of them to varying degrees.

They've been accused of having been involved in a conspiracy with others unknown to accept as an inducement 330-thousand dollars to bowl three no-balls in the fourth test.

If found guilty they could go to prison.

The ICC has banned the three players for between five and ten years, though all three have filed appeals with the Court of Arbitration for Sport.