Pakistan trio to return home

The three players at the centre of cricket's spot-fixing allegations - Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir - are to return home to Pakistan.

The three men - charged under the International Cricket Council's Anti-Corruption Code and currently suspended by their sport's world governing body - were questioned by police under caution last week.

Their solicitors released a statement, on behalf of the Pakistan Cricket Board and the three players.

The statement read: "The Metropolitan Police has been notified that Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Asif and Salman Butt will return to Pakistan later this morning.

"The players are looking forward to being reunited with their families. They remain available to co-operate fully with the police investigation and have each given undertakings to return to the UK if required to do so."

The statement also denied reports that Asif will seek asylum in the UK.

Pakistan, meanwhile, were set to continue their tour of England with the first Natwest Series match against their hosts at Chester-le-Street.