Match-fixing allegations hit England v Pakistan Test at Lord's

Lord's Match-fixing allegations over two Pakistani bowlers, Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif, who are alleged to have delivered deliberate no-balls against England in the current test at Lord's. Photograph: Tom Shaw/Getty Images

England's Test match against Pakistan was embroiled in scandal last night after police arrested a man reported to be at the centre of a huge match-fixing ring. Play is due to resume at Lord's today overshadowed by allegations that several members of the Pakistan team were involved in cheating during the game.

The News of the World alleged that two bowlers, Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif, delivered three deliberate no-balls against England on Thursday and Friday – in line with the predictions of an alleged middle man in London who met undercover reporters posing as members of a gambling cartel.

A police investigation is now under way and a Scotland Yard spokesman said last night: "We have today arrested a 35-year-old man on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud bookmakers."