ECB may take legal action against Ijaz Butt

The England and Wales Cricket Board may take legal action against Ijaz Butt, the chairman of the PCB. Butt suggested that England's players had accepted a bribe to lose the third ODI at The Oval, but the ECB said the allegations were wholly irresponsible and completely without foundation. However, the final two matches of Pakistan's tour would go ahead as planned, the statement read. It remains in the best interests of world cricket, the players and in particular of cricket supporters that the tour should continue, and it would set a dangerous precedent to call off a tour based on the misguided and inaccurate remarks made by one individual. Captain Andrew Strauss, speaking on behalf of the team, said: We would like to express our surprise, dismay and outrage at the comments made by Mr Butt yesterday. We are deeply concerned and disappointed that our integrity as cricketers have been brought into question. We refute these allegations completely and will be working closely with the ECB to explore all legal options open to us.