England to announce squads despite Pakistan probe

England are due to name their squads for the Twenty20 and one-day series against Pakistan on Tuesday despite the spot-fixing row engulfing the tourists.

Following newspaper allegations Pakistan bowled no-balls to order during England's series-clinching fourth Test win at Lord's, there were calls for the two Twenty20 matches in Cardiff on Sunday and Tuesday and the subsequent five one-dayers to be scrapped.

But Pakistan have been adamant the limited overs matches will go ahead and England's impending announcement suggests they will be played as scheduled.

England were due to make their squads public at 12:00 pm local time (1100GMT) but on Tuesday put back the announcement until 2:00 pm (1300GMT).

However, an England spokesman told AFP the delay was a matter of internal logistics and was in no way related to the allegations confronting Pakistan.

England Test wicketkeeper Matt Prior, in fine form with the bat in the five-day format, will hope for a recall to the one-day squad, having been displaced by Craig Kieswetter for the matches against Bangladesh.

Kevin Pietersen has been below his best in Test cricket during recent matches but should retain his place, having been named player of the tournament during England's victorious World Twenty20 campaign in the Caribbean.

Pakistan's next match is a tour game against county side Somerset in Taunton, south-west England, on Thursday.

In Taunton, reporters were refused entry to the county ground, where Pakistan were due to train later on Tuesday.

Somerset Chief Executive Richard Gould told AFP: "Pakistan have requested a closed practice session today. I don't know what will happen tomorrow."