Pakistan cricket trio to appear in court

THREE Pakistani cricketers and a sports agent at the centre of fixing allegations must appear before a London court in July, a judge said yesterday.

Former captain Salman Butt, 26, fast bowlers Mohammad Asif, 28, and Mohammad Amir, 18, and agent Mazhar Majeed, 35, were not in court for the hearing at Southwark Crown Court.

Mr Justice Saunders said they must attend in person or via video link at a preparatory hearing in July, although no date was set.

The players are charged with cheating and conspiracy to obtain and accept corrupt payments. Majeed, of Oaks Road, Croydon, south London, is accused of accepting 150,000 to arrange for the players to bowl no-balls during three dates in Pakistan's Test series at Lord's Cricket Ground in London last August. A provisional trial date of 4 October has been set.