Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer have been provisionally suspended by the International Cricket Council.

The game's governing body have charged the Pakistan trio with "various offences under Article 2 of the ICC Anti-Corruption Code for Players and Player Support Personnel relating to irregular behaviour during, and in relation to, the fourth Test between England and Pakistan at Lord's last month".

The under-fire trio have been at the eye of a spot-fixing storm since claims in the News of The World on Sunday and withdrew from the Twenty20 and one-day series against England which is due to begin on Sunday. But they would not now be eligible for those games anyway and will not be available to play any cricket until a decision is reached on the ICC charges.

The trio may contest the provisional suspension and have the option to defend themselves at a full hearing of the ICC's Anti-Corruption Tribunal.

They have two weeks from the receipt of the charge sheet to decide whether they want such a hearing.

Regarding potential punishments if the players are found guilty the ICC statement read: "Any player ultimately found to be guilty of committing an offence under the code would be subject to the sanctions described in Article 6 of the code. In this case, the alleged offences, if proved, would involve the imposition of a ban.

"There is also a possibility, at the discretion of the independent tribunal, that a fine would be imposed in addition to a ban."

ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat said: "We will not tolerate corruption in cricket - simple as that. We must be decisive with such matters and if proven, these offences carry serious penalties up to a life ban.

"The ICC will do everything possible to keep such conduct out of the game and we will stop at nothing to protect the sport's integrity. While we believe the problem is not widespread, we must always be vigilant.

"It is important, however, that we do not pre-judge the guilt of these three players. That is for the independent tribunal alone to decide."