THE three Pakistan cricketers questioned by police over alleged spot-fixing were to fly home yesterday.
Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir have agreed to return to England when required to do so by the police.
The trio, who maintain their innocence, left their hotel in central London shortly before 0900 BST yesterday to head to the airport.
The players are accused of accepting money to deliberately bowl no-balls during the Lord’s Test with England.
They have been provisionally suspended and charged by the International Cricket Council (ICC) and were interviewed under caution by the Metropolitan Police last week.
A fourth player, left-arm paceman Wahab Riaz, will be questioned by police on Tuesday in relation to allegations of corruption.
Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ijaz Butt issued a statement confirming the three players were heading back to Pakistan.
“They have not been charged by the police with any offence,” said Butt.
They have fully cooperated with the police in their enquiries and maintain that they are innocent of any alleged wrongdoing.
“They have agreed with the police to return to England if the police request them to do so to further assist the police in their enquiries.
“I have no further comments to make at this time.”
Scotland Yard confirmed they were aware the players were returning home.
A statement said the trio “have given an undertaking through their solicitor to return to assist the Metropolitan Police Service inquiry in due course”.
Meanwhile, Pakistan also issued a statement through their solicitors denying reports that left-arm paceman Asif, 18, is planning to seek asylum in the UK. (BBC Sport)