Call for corrupt cricketers to face life ban

Calls are mounting within the cricketing world for any player caught fixing incidents during matches for their own financial gain to be banned for life, and yesterday International Cricket Council chief executive Haroon Lorgat pledged "prompt and decisive action" against any guilty parties.

Several Pakistan players have been accused of so-called "spot-fixing" – fixing events such as no-balls at agreed times during matches, on behalf of betting syndicates – in last week's final Test against England, following an investigation by undercover journalists.

But Mr Lorgat said no action would be taken until the police investigation has reached its conclusion, meaning the team's British tour – which includes a series of one-day internationals and Twenty20 matches against England over the next month – will continue.

Mr Lorgat said: "Make no mistake – once the (investigative) process is complete, if any players are found to be guilty, the ICC will ensure the appropriate punishment is handed out. We will not tolerate corruption in this great game."

The scandal has created huge reverberations in Pakistan, where cricket is the national sport and loved by tens of millions of people.

Javed Miandad, director general of the Pakistan Cricket Board, yesterday called for the whole team and management to be replaced for the rest of the tour.

In Lahore, furious protesters led a procession of donkeys through the city with the names of the accused stuck to the animals' foreheads, slapping them with shoes and pelting them with rotten tomatoes.

The Pakistan Government has sent a three-man team from its Federal Investigation Agency to assist Scotland Yard, and to investigate the allegations independently.

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said: "The latest fixing allegations have bowed our heads in shame. I have ordered a thorough inquiry."

The Pakistan team were subjected to furious abuse yesterday from some members of the public as they left their London hotel to travel to Taunton, where they have a tour match against Somerset on Thursday.

However, Somerset chief executive Richard Gould insisted he does not expect further protests from supporters in the South-West.

"We prepare for all contingencies, but we think (a fan protest) is the furthest thing from what is likely to happen at Somerset," he said. "This game has been looked forward to by many of our supporters and members, and we think they will give the Pakistan team a warm welcome."

The scandal erupted on Sunday when the News of The World alleged it had paid a middleman 150,000 for information about precisely when Pakistan's bowlers would throw no-balls during the following day's play against England.

The accused man, agent Mazhar Majeed, was arrested and then bailed without charge yesterday. Four of the players implicated – captain Salman Butt, wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal, and star bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer – have been questioned by Scotland Yard, with at least three players having their mobile phones confiscated.

The cricket world has been left shocked and angered by the accusations. Former England captain Michael Vaughan said yesterday that any player found guilty should be "banned for life and former Pakistan captain Imran Khan described the allegations as "very depressing".