by political editor Paul Francis

Pakistan should not be frozen out of Test cricket because of the allegations that some of its players have been involved in a betting scam, according to Kent MP and sports minister Hugh Robertson.

Mr Robertson said that if the allegations proved to be true, the players involved should face the most serious sanctions, including possible life time bans from the game.

But he distanced himself from those calling for Pakistan to be banned from Test cricket and said the current tour should continue without the players who have been identified.

"This is not the time to freeze Pakistan out of test cricket," he said.

"I am perfectly happy for the tour to continue but I think it is right that all those under suspicion should be suspended because of the gravity of the situation.

"The obvious thing would be to send home those under suspicion and of any are found guilty, then they should face lifetime bans.

"But it would be totally counter-productive to freeze the entire team out of Test cricket."

Asked if he had been surprised at the allegations of a betting scam, he said: "Like most people, I have heard these sorts of allegations before but when you look into them, you never get cast-iron proof."

The claims are being investigated by the Met Police and the ICC’s anti-corruption unit is also examining the affair.

Mr Robertson’s comments come amid reports that the players identified may not play and further part in the tour’s remaining fixtures.

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