The investigation into the spot-fixing allegations against the Pakistan cricket team took an interesting turn on Tuesday as Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs revealed that it had arrested three persons for questioning in a money-laundering investigation.
HMRC said the three persons had been arrested, questioned as part of an investigation into money laundering and released on bail. “Three individuals were arrested on Sunday as part of an ongoing investigation into money laundering. This includes two 35-year-olds — a male and a female — from the Croydon area, and a 49-year-old male from the Wembley area. These individuals were arrested, questioned and have been bailed pending further investigation,” HMRC said without identifying them.
A 35-year-old London businessman, Mazhar Majeed, is also out on police bail over the investigation into spot-fixing allegations involving two Pakistani fast bowlers, who have been accused of deliberately bowling three no-balls during the England-Pakistan Test at Lord’s last Thursday and Friday.
Pakistan team manager Yawar Saeed, who is in Taunton, Somerset, with the cricket team said on Tuesday afternoon that three cricketers had been summoned to meet Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ejaz Butt and high commissioner Wajid Shamsul Hasan in London on Wednesday. However, Mr Saeed made it clear that the three cricketers would return to Taunton and join the team after the London trip.
The Pakistani players allegedly involved in the spot-fixing scandal had been monitored by investigators or months, according to reports. The monitoring included spot-fixing in cricket matches at the behest of Indian bookies.
There is speculation in Britain that the three players will be asked to step down from the team till the spot-fixing allegations against them are investigated. The England and Wales Cricket Board is keen that the three players at heart of the spot-fixing allegations should not play in the Twenty20 and one-day series against England. However, the Pakistan board is against the move and is adamant that it will not take any action till Scotland Yard finishes its inquiry.
International Cricket Council chief executive Haroon Lorgat said on Tuesday the investigation into the allegations would be over before Sunday, the date of the first Twenty20 match between Pakistan and England. “We’re busy with the Metropolitan police and hopefully before the weekend arrives we can get to some sort of a conclusion. But it’s an individual’s right that you’re innocent until proven guilty,” he said, adding that “at the moment, it is also appropriate that the game continue. We shouldn’t let everyone suffer because of a couple of individuals that might have got caught up in corrupt practices. The vast majority of players are not guilty of any such behaviour.”
“Currently, senior Anti-Corruption and Security Unit investigators are in the United Kingdom conducting inquiries into the allegations directed at some Pakistan players during the recently-concluded Test against England at Lord’s. That investigation has the full support and cooperation of the ECB and PCB. In addition, ACSU officials are assisting London’s Metropolitan police with their criminal investigation,” Mr Lorgat said.
The players, if found guilty, will be punished, Mr Lorgat said. “The integrity of the game is of paramount importance. Prompt and decisive action will be taken against those who seek to harm it. However, the facts must first be established through a thorough investigation and it is important to respect the right of due process when addressing serious allegations of this sort. Make no mistake — once the process is complete, if any players are found to be guilty, the ICC will ensure that the appropriate punishment is handed out. We will not tolerate corruption in this great game,” he said.