Pakistan trio due in UK court over "spot-fixing"

Three Pakistan cricketers are due to appear in a London court on Thursday, accused of taking bribes to fix incidents during an international match in England last year.

The trio, former captain Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir, are accused by British prosecutors of spot-fixing or rigging incidents, such as the bowling of no-balls at pre-agreed times, during the fourth test at Lord's last August.

Along with a fourth man, sporting agent Mazhar Majeed, they face charges of conspiracy to obtain and accept corrupt payments, and conspiracy to cheat.

Pakistani newspapers reported that the three players, who deny any wrongdoing, were either in London or had left Pakistan for Britain earlier this week.

They are due at London's City of Westminster Magistrates on Thursday for a hearing, which is compulsory to attend. A spokesman for Britain's Crown Prosecution Service said they would face arrest if they failed to appear.

In addition to the criminal charges, the men have also been given lengthy bans after having been found guilty of corruption by the International Cricket Council. They have all lodged appeals against the bans with the Court of Arbitration of Sport