LONDON: Pakistan's embattled cricket team were embroiled in allegations of match-fixing on Sunday after British police arrested a man on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud bookmakers.

The controversy erupted after the News of the World alleged some members of the Pakistan team were involved in a betting scam in the ongoing fourth and final Test against England at Lord's.

Britain's biggest-selling newspaper claimed several blatant no-balls had been delivered by Pakistan bowlers.

The weekly tabloid said it gave 150,000 pounds (230,000 dollars, 185,000 euros) to a middle man who correctly told them in advance precisely when those deliveries would be bowled.

"Following information received from the News of the World we have arrested a 35-year-old man on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud bookmakers," a spokesman for London's Metropolitan Police said.

Despite the latest controversy swirling around the game, the International Cricket Council (ICC) insisted the fourth Test would continue as scheduled on Sunday, adding that no "players nor team officials have been arrested in relation to this incident".

Pakistan tour manager Yawar Saeed added: "I can confirm we are aware of the allegations. Scotland Yard (Metropolitan) police are with us now at our hotel and we are helping them with their enquiries.

"This is as much as I can say at the moment."

The News of the World published images and dialogue from the encounter and a picture of what it said was one of the promised no-balls delivered on Friday.

It also ran a photograph of Pakistan captain Salman Butt standing with the man they claimed was the middleman, and one of their reporters.

The News of the World claimed their reporters had posed as front men for an Asian gambling cartel, paying 10,000 pounds to the alleged fixer as an upfront deposit.

They met again on Wednesday in a west London hotel room to hand over the rest of the money as their "entry ticket" into what they claimed was a "huge betting syndicate".

They claimed the middle man then correctly predicted when the no-balls would be bowled.

The newspaper showed the alleged fixer with piles of cash on a table.

Meanwhile, the ICC said the match would continue as planned on Sunday at Lord's, the spiritual home of the game.

"The International Cricket Council, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have been informed by the Metropolitan Police that a 35-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud bookmakers," said an ICC statement.

"The Metropolitan Police have informed the ICC, ECB and PCB that their investigations continue and ICC, ECB and PCB, with the involvement of the ICC Anti Corruption and Security Unit, are fully assisting those enquiries.

"No players nor team officials have been arrested in relation to this incident and the fourth Test match will continue as scheduled on Sunday.

"As this is now subject to a police investigation neither ICC, ECB, PCB nor the ground authority, MCC (Marylebone Cricket Club), will make any further comment," it added.

Pakistan, who have been dogged by 'fixing' allegations since the 1990s, collapsed spectacularly yet again Saturday to leave England closing in on an innings victory.

At stumps, Pakistan, following on, were 41 for four in their second innings, having been dismissed for just 74 first time around.

That left them still 331 runs adrift of England's first innings 446 as the home team eyed a victory that would give them a 3-1 win in their final series before they begin the defence of the Ashes in Australia in November.

There was also a controversial finish to Pakistan's 2006 Test series in England.

They forfeited the final match at The Oval in south London, having refused to take the field after tea on the fourth day because they'd been penalised for ball-tampering.

Pakistan have been unable to play matches at home since an armed attack on the Sri Lanka team bus in Lahore in March last year effectively turned the country into a 'no-go area' for international cricket.

Lady Gaga waxed The Madame Tussauds museums

LONDON: The queen of 'Twitter' and 'Pop singer Lady Gaga will stand out unique this time too as she will be the first star to have her waxworks launched at all 10 Madame Tussauds’ museums at the same time. As per source ,it is said that the gross amount of the 24 year old singer statues will cost $1.5 million. There will be different models of the pop sensation which will be put up at the museums. ‘This is definitely one of the most ambitious projects in our history,’ said a source. Lady Gaga has thus proved it again that she can be more than creative. Fans can weigh in on what the Lady Gaga wax figure outfit or hairstyle will look like. "We're open to hearing from fans about which looks they want," a spokesperson for New York's Madame Tussauds told MTV News. UK tabloid the Daily Star reported that Tussauds spent more than $1.5 million for the wax figures to be made. “This is definitely one of the most ambitious projects in our history,” a source from Tussauds told the Daily Star. MTV said Tussauds would not comment on the price tag for the wax figures. It is also unclear whether all nine Tussauds venues will get Lady Gaga wax figures and whether she will wear different outfits at each location.

England reach 346-7 after Aamer demolishes England's top order

LONDON: Hundreds from Jonathan Trott and Stuart Broad saw England enjoy an extraordinary reversal of fortune in the fourth and final Test against Pakistan at Lord's on Friday. England, who had slumped to 47 for five in the face of fine swing bowling from left-armer Mohammad Aamer, ended the second day on 346 for seven as they looked to finish the series 3-1 winners. Trott was 149 not out and Broad, whose century was his first in Test cricket, 125 not out. Their unbroken stand of 244 -- made after they'd come together at 102 for seven -- was an England record for the eighth wicket against Pakistan. Previous record was 167 made by David Gower and Vick Marks at Faisalabad in 1983-84. Earlier, Aamer ripped through England's top order on his way to career-best figures of six wickets for 73 runs in 23 overs. That saw the 18-year-old, in his 14th match at this level, become the youngest bowler to take 50 Test wickets. England resumed on 39 for one, with Trott eight not out, in overcast conditions after bad weather meant only 12.3 overs were possible Thursday. Kevin Pietersen, Paul Collingwood and Eoin Morgan -- England's Nos 4, 5 and 6 respectively --were all dismissed by Aamer for nought. England were 97 for five at lunch but they were soon 102 for seven as Aamer took two wickets in three balls to dismiss Matt Prior and Graeme Swann. But Broad, who like his father Chris, the former England opener, is a left-handed batsman, gave stylish support to Trott. Trott, 77 not out at tea, completed his third Test century, with a quick single that became a five after four overthrows from Imran Farhat, after facing 195 balls with 13 boundaries in nearly five hours at the crease. Broad, in his 32nd Test, followed him to a century with a three off left-arm quick Wahab Riaz, having faced 159 balls with a six and nine fours. Pakistan did not have long to wait for a breakthrough on Friday. Aamer squared up Oval centurion Alastair Cook off the day's third ball and the left-handed opener was caught behind for 10. Pietersen then saw his run without a Test century extended to 26 innings when he was out for a first ball nought, caught behind chasing a ball well outside off-stump. And when Collingwood was lbw to a late inswinger, England were in dire straits at 39 for four.

PESHAWAR: Some unidentified armed men opened fire at a government premises near US Consulate in Peshawar’s cantonment area, News reported Saturday.

Before long, the heavy contingents of security forces arrived in the area and cordoned off the affected area.

The exchange of fire is intermittently in progress for past some hours now in Peshawar’s sensitive area, as US Consulate is situated near the affected site.

According to sources, the attackers are holed up in nearby premises, which the law-enforcers have taken in their siege.

Also, the security forces have arrested three suspected people.

All the roads leading to the Cantonment area including Jamrud Road, Cantt and Airport Road, have been blocked for traffic.

Ambulances have been called in for any potential casualties. Following the incident, more contingents of the security personnel turned up in the area.