Bookie Mazhar Majeed, who was arrested on Saturday on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud bookmakers, has been bailed without charge

Agent Majeed held for betting scandal gets bail
Monday, August 30, 2010, 11:41 [IST]


Bookie Mazhar Majeed, who was arrested on Saturday on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud bookmakers, has been bailed without charge over an alleged betting scam involving the Pakistan national team.

The 35-year-old was arrested in the UK after a News of the World report alleged he offered bribe to certain Pakistani bowlers to manipulate a Test match against England.

England won the Test at Lord's by an innings and 225 runs - Pakistan's heaviest Test defeat - securing a 3-1 series victory.

Pakistan's captain Salman Butt, bowlers Mohammad Aamer and Mohammad Asif and wicket keeper Kamran Akmal were all questioned by police and had their phones confiscated, according to the British tabloid.

Today, Scotland Yard said Majeed had been bailed to appear before police at a future date, Sky News reported.

Undercover reporters from The News of the World claimed Aamir and Asif had bowled prearranged no-balls on the opening day of the Test on Thursday exactly as Majeed described during a secretly filmed meeting on the night before the Test at Lord's.

The footage shows Majeed apparently counting out £150,000 ($US233,000) given to him from investigators from the newspaper, who were posing as front men for a Far East gambling cartel. The money was deemed their "entry ticket" into Majeed's alleged operation.

Pakistan Sports Minister Ijaz Hussain Jakhrani has promised life ban for any Pakistan cricketer found guilty of match-fixing.

The nation's President Asif Ali Zardari has called for a detailed report from the Pakistan Cricket Board.

Majeed's brother and business partner Azhar Majeed said the claims were "laughable", adding: "I thought it was just rubbish.