Diplomat: Match-fix claims a set up (From Northwich Guardian)

Diplomat: Match-fix claims a set up

5:36pm Thursday 2nd September 2010 in National News © Press Association 2011

Pakistan's top diplomat in Britain has claimed that the three cricketers facing match-fixing allegations were "set up".

Test captain Salman Butt and fast bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir insisted they were innocent as they withdrew from the remaining games in their team's tour of England.

Wajid Hasan, the Pakistani High Commissioner in London, said he believed the trio played no part in an alleged plot to bowl no-balls to order during Pakistan's fourth Test defeat at Lord's. He went on to cast doubt on video evidence about the allegations released by the News of the World.

In an interview on BBC News, he said: "We are not seeing on the video what the date or what the time is. Do you have answers to these questions? The video wasn't timed or dated. It could have been dated before the match or after the match, or at a different time."

Asked if he thought the three players had been "set up", Mr Hasan said: "Yes, I would say that."

The News of the World dismissed the High Commissioner's claims as "ludicrous", adding in a statement: "Watch this space."

It is understood that the paper is planning to publish further revelations this weekend.

The three players were questioned by police at the weekend at their London hotel and had their mobile phones confiscated.

Scotland Yard refused to comment on reports that detectives will interview them again on Friday. A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "We are not discussing who we have spoken to or may wish to speak to in connection with this investigation."

Butt, Asif and Amir will miss Pakistan's remaining games against England in the current tour, beginning with the first of two Twenty20 matches on Sunday, followed by five One Day Internationals. The trio held meetings in London with Mr Hasan and Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ijaz Butt.