By Saroj Pathirana BBC Sinhala

The International Cricket Council (ICC) will investigate claims that bookmakers tried to approach Pakistan players during the current tour of Sri Lanka.

"The ICC is aware of the media reports on attempted match-fixing allegations," ICC communications officer James Fitzgerald told BBC Sinhala service.

"Appropriate action will be taken by the ICC on this regard," he added.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said it reported the matter to the ICC in Sri Lanka and "it took urgent steps".

Both Pakistan team manager Yawar Saeed and the PCB's Liaz Butt have confirmed an incident of "unwanted people" trying to approach players in the team hotel, according to the AFP news agency.

Pakistan team captain Younus Khan has denied any allegations.

The ICC cannot comment further as the investigations of ICC's Anti Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) are highly confidential, Fitzgerald added.

The ICC formed the ACSU in 2000 as match-fixing controversies rocked the cricketing world.

Many leading players, including Pakistan's Salim Malik and Ata-ur-Rehman, India's Mohammed Azaruddhin and South Africa's Hansie Cronje were banned for life after investigations by the ACSU.

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