80 cricket matches in fix probe

More than 80 international cricket matches were under investigation today following match-fixing allegations involving the Pakistan cricket team.

The agent in the scandal was bailed today as police investigations continued and team members had mobile phones seized. There were also claims the first Test may have been fixed by the Pakistan players and police knew of allegations six weeks ago.

It follows reports that an agent was paid £150,000 for exact details relating to play in the Lord's Test match.

Mazhar Majeed, aged 35, was arrested and bailed pending further inquiries.

The co-owner of Croydon Athletic Football Club is alleged to have paid team members to throw "no balls" at precise moments to give gamblers big wins.

A statement on the club website today said it was "devastated and appalled".

Police will investigate club accounts and Majeed's firm Bluesky. It emerged today that police were also tipped off about possible match fixing at the first Test at Trent Bridge, Nottingham, in July.

The International Cricket Council's anti-corruption unit is understood to be studying all 82 Tests and one-day matches played by Pakistan in the period Mr Majeed is alleged to have rigged matches.

At Lord's yesterday Pakistan players were booed by their supporters as they lost the series 3-1 to England.

Pakistan's prime minister Yousef Raza Gilani said his country was "bowing its head with shame" as team manager Yawar Saeed said bowlers Mohammad Aamer, Mohammad Asif and wicket keeper Kamran Akmal were questioned by police.

Captain Salman Butt said they tried their utmost.

By Daniel Wainwright