PCB provisionally blacklists five stars for World Cup 2011

LONDON - Pakistan have provisionally agreed not to select five players for next year’s World Cup on the subcontinent as they seek to come clean on match-fixing charges against some of their stars.

Former Test captain Salman Butt, fast bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer, wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal and leg spinner Danish Kaneria have been blacklisted in response to last month’s ultimatum by the ICC, who gave the Pakistan Cricket Board 30 days to take a firm stance against corruption.

According to the Daily Star, Akmal has been under investigation for his role in Pakistan’s controversial defeat by Australia in January’s Sydney Test.

On the other hand, Kaneria was recently cleared by police over allegations of spot fixing, but has not been offered a new contract by Essex.

The other three are also accused of spot fixing during the recent series in England. (ANI)