Afridi issues apology to the world for spot-fixing

Afridi has no doubt that - regardless of any further News of the World allegations against the three players suspended by the International Cricket Council over the "spot-fixing" crisis - today's Twenty20 match against England will go ahead in Cardiff.

The first of two fixtures between Paul Collingwood's champions and the previous holders appeared in jeopardy, as did the remainder of the limited-overs leg of Pakistan's tour, until it was announced two days ago that Butt, Asif and Aamer would be taking no part.

Those three, named in last weekend's News of the World claims of a plot to bowl no-balls to order in an attempt to defraud illegal bookmakers, have since been charged by the ICC under the world governing body's anti-corruption code.

Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ijaz Butt, team manager Yawar Saeed and High Commissioner Wajid Shamsul Hasan have all been at pains to stress the three players face allegations only and have been found guilty of nothing. But in an apparently significant departure from that stance comes Afridi's international apology for three players who were yesterday questioned by police under caution as part of an ongoing investigation which has seen Croydon-based agent Mazher Majeed arrested but released on bail without charge. Asked for his own reaction to the crisis, as his team began practice at the SWALEC Stadium, Afridi said: "I think this is very bad news. On behalf of these boys - I know they're not in this series - I want to say sorry to all cricket lovers and all the cricketing nations."

Afridi also acknowledged Mazhar and his brother Azhar Majeed have been representing several Pakistan players and confirmed too the former's presence around the team on recent tours. "These guys Azhar and Mazhar, they are their manager," he said. "He (Mazhar] has been travelling with some of the team guys, in Australia and the West Indies. I saw him on the tours but didn't know anything about it."

Afridi said, with a smile: "I've told the boys 'don't read the newspaper - just focus on cricket'."

He knows nonetheless the current situation, so badly received back home in Pakistan is particular, is no laughing matter. "I know the people (in Pakistan] are very upset, and it is very disappointing," he added. "But we all love cricket. We want to play good cricket, aggressive and positive cricket. If we can do that, maybe then when we go back home things will settle down."

Without the controversy which has rocked cricket through the past week, today's match will be billed exclusively as a head-to-head between two of the world's best Twenty20 teams.

Abdul Razzaq and Umar Akmal are expected to be available for Pakistan, despite the back and face injuries they suffered at Taunton on Thursday.