Pakistan to investigate cricketers' assets

In the wake of the spot-fixing scandal involving three Pakistan cricketers, the government has decided to investigate the assets of current and former players who have represented the country over the last five years.

The Federal Bureau of Revenue (FBR) has directed its regional officers to collect details of the bank accounts and other assets of the cricketers, leading Urdu daily Jang reported on Monday.

Even the officials have been asked to take account of the number of cars in the possession of the cricketers, the report said.

The Pakistan Cricket Board will also be asked to submit its expenses for the players, selectors, coaches and managers, an FBR officer Israr Rauf was quoted as saying by the daily.

The ICC has suspended Pakistan captain Salman Butt and the pacemen Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamir after the spot fixing scandal surfaced following a sting operation by British tabloid News of the World.

The pacers were accused of deliberately bowling no-balls during the fourth Test against England at Lord's to facilitate betting. Scotland Yard has already questioned the trio.