First T20 today

Pakistan try to regain focus


Pakistan's scandal-hit cricket team tried to regain their focus Saturday on looming tour matches against England after British police questioned three star players over an alleged betting scam.

Test captain Salman Butt plus bowlers Mohammad Aamer and Mohammad Asif were all released without charge Friday after the interviews at a police station near the "home of cricket", Lord's in north London.

But the trio -- who protest their innocence -- are still battling charges under the International Cricket Council's (ICC) anti-corruption code and have been barred from playing any further matches pending the outcome of their case.

Aamer, at 18 one of the game's hottest talents, Asif, 27, and Butt, 25, had already withdrawn from the England tour claiming "mental torture", missing Pakistan's eight-run win over county side Somerset on Thursday.

Team manager Yawar Saeed said Friday he was "not happy" about the situation but was trying to focus on his duties ahead of the forthcoming two Twenty20 internationals and five one-day games against England.

The team was due to train in Cardiff on Saturday ahead of their first Twenty20 fixture in the Welsh capital on Sunday.

Meanwhile, England Twenty20 captain Paul Collingwood said the Sunday of the last Test, when the allegations emerged, was "one of the lowest points" he had experienced as a cricketer.

He added on Sky Sports News: "It was a difficult day, but as the week's gone on decisions have been made and we can now focus on the cricket in hand come tomorrow."

Detectives questioned the accused trio Friday at Kilburn police station in what their lawyer Elizabeth Robertson stressed were voluntary interviews.

"At no time were they placed under arrest, they were free to leave at any time and they have answered all of the questions that were put to them and have been released without charge or conditions," she told reporters afterwards.

The head of the ICC's anti-corruption and security unit had earlier defended its decision to charge the players.

"The conclusion that we have come to is that there is a really arguable case to answer," Ronnie Flanagan told a press conference at the Lord's ground.

He said the players had been charged under Article 2 of the ICC code, which relates to offences including corruption, betting and misuse of inside information, but declined to go into details.

Calling it a complex investigation, he said that if the players were found guilty they could face a life ban.