Sports Minister Ijaz Hussain Jakhrani has promised life bans for any Pakistan cricketers found guilty of match-fixing after a man was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud bookmakers. On Saturday, London police said they arrested a 35-year-old for offering bribes to some Pakistan players for spot fixing in the fourth Test against England at Lord's following allegations in the tabloid newspaper, the News of the World. England went on to clinch victory on Sunday by an innings and 225 runs, winning the series 3-1. “We are waiting for a detailed report from the Pakistan Cricket Board and if any players are found guilty of being involved in fixing they will be banned for life,” Jakhrani said Sunday. Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has called for a detailed report from the cricket board over the allegations. Zardari's spokesperson Farhatullah Babar said the president wanted to be kept informed of developments and the status of any inquiry that may be ordered or held in London. “The chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (Ijaz Butt) has been directed to immediately submit a preliminary report about the incident,” said Babar. Spot fixing involves betting on incidents during a match, such as no-balls and wides, which have been pre-arranged. The News of the World newspaper said it paid £150,000 ($230,000) to a middle man in return for details about the timing of three no-balls. The report alleged that two Pakistan bowlers, Mohammad Aamer and Mohammad Asif, delivered the blatant no-balls at the exact points in the match agreed with the alleged fixer. – Agencies The newspaper published a photograph of the alleged middle man, Mazhar Majeed, who acts as agent to some Pakistan players, counting wads of banknotes given to him by a reporter posing as a front man for a betting syndicate.
