ICC to investigate Pakistan bookmakers reports

The PCB have ruled out holding their own inquiry but have passed the matter on to the ICC's Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU).

PCB chief operating officer Saleem Altaf said: "The ACU representative in Sri Lanka is investigating the matter.

"The ACU follows a proper procedure and they investigate suspicious incidents in great detail. So we are not expecting them to come up with a report very soon."

Pakistan, recent winners of the Twenty20 in England, lost the three-Test series in Sri Lanka 2-0 and are currently 3-0 down in the best-of-five one-day international series.

Former Pakistan head of selectors Abdul Qadir is mystified by Pakistan's recent performances.

"It is strange the way we are losing matches," Qadir said.

"When the bowling clicks the batsmen don't perform. When the batsmen perform the bowler's don't perform. Something is wrong somewhere.

"This has been one of our worst tours to Sri Lanka."

Pakistan team manager Yawar Saeed confirmed the presence of some suspicious people at the team hotel.

"There are usually many guests at the hotel who want autographs and want to be photographed with the players," Saeed said.

"There were some people who wanted to meet the players and invited them for tea but the players refused and reported the matter to us.

"We had already instructed them not to meet any unwanted people."

Pakistan captain Younus Khan said he had not been propositioned by any bookmakers.

"No bookie has approached me," Younus said. "If ever one does, I will catch him and hand him over to ICC because these people have destroyed the game."

The ICC have confirmed they were investigating the issue.

"The ICC is aware of the media reports on attempted match-fixing allegations," ICC communications officer James Fitzgerald said.

"Appropriate action is being taken by the ICC on this regard."