Pakistan pair suspected of match-fixing

Two Pakistan cricketers are under investigation for suspected match- fixing according to the Pakistan Cricket Board.

The pair are not believed to be members of the current squad.

"We suspect two of our players are involved in match-fixing but until we get a report from our inquiry committee I will not say anything more on this subject," said the PCB chairman Ijaz Butt in Lahore. Life bans were imposed in 2000 on former Pakistani Test captain Salim Malik and Ata-ur-Rehman for match fixing. The bans were overturned on appeal.

Meanwhile, Shoaib Akhtar has been left out of Pakistan's 30-member preliminary squad for the World Twenty20 championship in the Caribbean. Akhtar has not played an international since May, but is confident of returning and harbours hopes of becoming captain.

Butt also announced a new coach would be in place for the tournament, with Waqar Younis the favourite.