Scotland Yard questions Wahab Riaz

Pakistan left-arm fast bowler Wahab Riaz has been questioned by Scotland Yard over the spot-fixing allegations surrounding the Lord's Test that arose out of the News of the World sting. Wahab is the fourth member of the Pakistan team to be questioned by the police so far.

"(We) can confirm that today, September 14, one further Pakistani cricketer was interviewed by appointment under caution," the Scotland Yard said in a brief statement.

Pakistan team manager Yawar Saeed identified Wahab as the player taken in for questioning. "They called us up late afternoon and we took Wahab to the station for the interview," he told PTI.

Wahab was questioned for about half-an-hour in the presence of the team's barrister, Elizabeth Robertson, and their security manager. Yawar said he did not know if the player would be required for any further interviews.

A statement issued by Robertson on behalf of the PCB and Wahab indicated that he had "voluntarily attended Kilburn Police Station to provide assistance in the ongoing investigation concerning allegations published by the News of the World. He has been unconditionally released."

Wahab took five wickets on Test debut at the Oval, when Pakistan beat England by four wickets. He then took one wicket in the Lord's Test and played the first Twenty20 international, but has played no further part in the tour since.

Scotland Yard have already questioned Pakistan Test captain Salman Butt and opening bowlers Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif, all three of whom have been provisionally suspended by the ICC pending its own investigation.

The suspended trio have returned to Pakistan on the condition that they will be available for any further questioning by Scotland Yard. They have also filed their replies to the ICC asserting their innocence and asking for their suspensions to be lifted.

"We can also confirm that Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Asif and Salman Butt have written to the ICC indicating their intention to defend themselves in respect of the disciplinary action brought against them," continued the statement released by the players' lawyer.

"The players have expressed concern that the ICC's investigation could prejudice the police investigation, and have requested additional time to respond fully to the charges. The ICC has granted additional time. The players remain willing to co-operate in full with the ICC. No further comment will be made at this time."