Pakistan drop five 'tainted' stars players for World Cup 2011

Pakistan has agreed not to select five star players for World Cup 2011. Former Test captain Salman Butt, fast bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer, wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal and leg-spinner Danish Kaneria - who was involved in an alleged spot-fixing scandal on the English county scene - have been blacklisted in response to last month's ultimatum by the ICC, which gave the Pakistan board 30 days to take a action against corruption.


Additionally Akmal has been under investigation for his role in Pakistan's controversial defeat by Australia in January's Sydney Test. On the other hand, Kaneria was recently cleared by police over allegations of spot-fixing, but has not been offered a new contract by Essex. The other three are also accused of spot-fixing during the England series.