`Two English players implicated by CBI’

The players along with three Pakistanis, have apparently been uncovered by CBI, it said.

“It was the Indian police which came across Hansie Cronje’s skulduggery, when they recorded telephone conversations the then captain of South Africa had with bookmakers close to the game and they have made the running since, as they have sought to bring criminal charges against Cronje,” the paper wrote.

In the past five months, as allegations of match-fixing and match-manipulation have bounced backwards and forwards from one continent to another, England players have not been regarded as culpable, despite Chris Lewis’ claim that a London-based sports promoter, had passed the names of three well-known cricketers to him.

Lewis, subsequently, handed the names to the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and to the police, but no action was taken for lack of evidence.

“Now, it appears, the Indian Police who have conducted part of their inquiry in London are ready to release two names,” the paper said.

The news comes at a sensitive time when England begin their first tour of Pakistan since 1987, next month. Pakistani team too, is tainted by scandal.

Justice Malik Mohammad Qayyum’s report into corruption in Pakistan cricket was withheld by the authorities for more than a year. It was eventually published in June and made recommendations that have not been acted upon in every instance, the paper said.

Although Salim Malik has been banned for life, no firm action has been taken against Wasim Akram, Mushtaq Ahmed and Ijaz Ahmed, who figured in the report for being less than honest and who may all face England later this year.