Play began as scheduled on the fourth day of the fourth and final test between England and Pakistan at Lord's on Sunday after a man was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud bookmakers.

On Saturday, police said they had arrested a 35-year-old for offering bribes to some Pakistan players for spot fixing during the test after allegations in the Sunday tabloid newspaper, the News of the World.

Spot fixing involves betting on incidents during a match, such as no-balls or wides, which have been pre-arranged.

Pakistan team manager Yawar Saeed confirmed on Saturday that London metropolitan police officials had questioned him and several players, including captain Salman Butt, in connection with corruption allegations during the final test.

The News of the World said the arrested man had correctly identified three no-balls which he said had been bowled by pre-arrangement in England's first innings by opening bowlers Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif.

Eighteen-year-old Amir took six for 84 to become the youngest bowler to capture 50 test wickets.

RECORDED STATEMENTS

Yawar told Pakistan's Geo Super channel that police officials recorded statements in the team hotel from Amir, Asif, Butt and wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal.

They have also spoken to me and I have tried to answer their queries. We will cooperate all the way with them in these investigations, Yawar said.

Yawar added police had told him they had arrested a man in connection with the allegations but he denied media reports that officers had confiscated mobile phones and laptops or that they had found money stashed in players' rooms.

That is not correct but we are also in touch with our high commission in London and co-operating with the police, he said.

Geo News channel also reported that Pakistan's high commissioner Wajid Shamsul Hasan had spoken to Scotland Yard detectives.

The Pakistan team left late from their Swiss Cottage hotel in north London for Lord's on Sunday morning. They did not take part in the customary pre-play warm-ups.

England are on the verge of victory after Pakistan collapsed to 74 all out in their first innings on Saturday. They were 41 for four after following on, still trailing by 331 runs.

(Editing by Tony Jimenez)

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