England-Pakistan cricket goes ahead despite row

But the England players made clear their anger at the comments, with captain Andrew Strauss releasing a strongly-worded statement expressing their “outrage” and threatening legal action.

The chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, Ijaz Butt, this morning denied telling an Indian-based television station that he had evidence to support his claims, saying he was merely quoting “bookies”.

But the allegations have increased the bitterness surrounding the tour, with the England players and officials reported to be “furious”, and there was speculation overnight that today’s match at Lord’s would be called off.

But the game started on time at one o’clock after the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) issued a statement rejecting the claims.

“Mr Butt’s comments were wholly irresponsible and completely without foundation,” the ECB said.

“The ECB expresses its gratitude for the outstanding conduct of the England team this summer and will take all legal and disciplinary action which may result from Mr Butt’s comments.”

But the England captain, Andrew Strauss, went further, saying: “We would like to express our surprise, dismay and outrage at the coments made by Mr Butt.

The ECB expresses its gratitude for the outstanding conduct of the England team this summer and will take all legal and disciplinary action which may result from Mr Butt’s comments. England spokesman

“We are deeply concerned and disappointed that our integrity as cricketers has been brought into question. We refute these allegations completely and will be working closely with the ECB to explore all legal options open to us.”

Strauss said his team had “strong misgivings” about continuing with the series, but recognised its responsibilities to the game of cricket and its followers “and will therefore endeavour to fulfil these fixtures to the best of our ability”.

Today’s row is just the latest match-fixing allegation to blight the tour. Three Pakistan players – Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer – have been charged under the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) anti-corruption code following allegations that the team deliberately bowled no-balls during the fourth Test at Lord’s in an attempted betting sting exposed by the News of the World.

A fourth player – fast bowler Wahab Riaz – has also been interviewed about the matter. And the ICC is also investigating claims surrounding Pakistan’s scoring rate during last Friday’s one-day game at the Oval, which the tourists won following an England batting collapse.

England allegations
The ICC had made clear that no England players were being investigated, but – in an interview with the NDTV television station yesterday – Mr Butt was reported as saying that they should be.

“There is loud and clear talk in the bookies’ circles that some English players were paid enormous amounts of money to lose the match,” he said. “No wonder there was a total collapse of the English side.

“This is not a conspiracy to defraud bookmakers, it is a conspiracy to defraud Pakistan and Pakistan cricket.

“We have taken it in hand to start our own investigations. We will shortly reveal the names of the people, the parties and the bodies involved in this sinister conspiracy and we also reserve the right to sue them for damages.”

There is loud and clear talk in the bookies’ circles that some English players were paid enormous amounts of money to lose the match. PCB chairman Ijaz Butt

Asked if he had evidence to back up his allegations, Mr Butt was reported to have replied: “Did you ask the other people who made the allegations against our players whether they had proof? What did they say? We have thought about this properly and we have positive proofs here before us just like they say they have also.”

But in an interview with BBC Radio Five Live this morning, Mr Butt retreated slightly. “If you listen to the full tape of the NDTV interview, the bookies are saying this. I am not saying this,” he said.

On the field, Pakistan won the toss and set England a daunting target, reaching 265-7 in their 50 allotted overs. Abdul Razzaq hit each of Tim Bresnan’s last five balls of the innings for four.

Pakistan beat England by 38 runs to take the one-day series to a deciding match at the Rose Bowl.