Former Pakistan batsman Ijaz bailed in fraud case

Former Pakistan Test batsman Ijaz Ahmed has been released on bail after spending nearly seven weeks in detention on fraud charges, his lawyer said on Tuesday.

Kashif Javed told Reuters the Lahore high court had allowed Ijaz to be released on bail due to health problems. He had been denied bail three times by lower courts but spent most of the time while detained in hospital complaining of severe asthma.

Ijaz was arrested in March for allegedly issuing cheques worth 11 million rupees ($125,000), which had bounced, to two property developers.

"I am innocent and my detractors have made false charges against me," Ijaz said.

Ijaz who played 60 Tests and 251 one-day internationals was working as the fielding coach at the Pakistan national cricket academy when arrested.