Pre-action letter sent to Ijaz Butt

The ECB and the PCA today confirmed that a pre-action letter has been sent on behalf of the England cricket team to Ijaz Butt, chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, following his allegations that the England team were involved in fixing the outcome of the third NatWest Series one-day international between England and Pakistan, played at the Brit Insurance Oval on Friday.

The letter seeks a full and unreserved apology. Mr Butt has been advised that if a satisfactory response is not received, legal proceedings will be commenced against him without further notice.