Pak trio returns home after govt gives undertaking

Three Pakistan cricketers at the centre of match-fixing allegations returned home from London early on Saturday. Salman Butt,Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif,who have been provisionally suspended by the International Cricket Council (ICC),flew into Lahore where a large crowd,made up of both protesters and supporters,and a heavy police presence awaited them.

Pakistans interior minister Rehman Malik told the media that the three players were able to fly home after giving assurances that they would return to Britain if needed. We have given Scotland Yard surety that if required the cricketers will be available for further investigations, Malik said.

The three players,who were interviewed by Londons Metropolitan Police as part of an inquiry into allegations of spot-fixing during Pakistans tour of England,left the airport by a back door and were driven away in waiting vehicles.

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Television pictures showed crowds waiting outside the terminal,some carrying banners in support of the players and others waving placards accusing them of disgracing the nation. Some people carried shoes in their hands.

A large contingent of police was at the airport to avoid a repeat of the scenes last week when PCB chairman,Ijaz Butt,was jeered and heckled on his return home.