The three Pakistan cricketers at the head of the spot-fixing scandal in England have been suspended by the International Cricket Council.

The ICC has charged fast bowlers Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Asif and captain Salman Butt under its Anti-Corruption Code with various offences relating to the alleged irregular behaviour during last week's Test against England at Lord's.

The trio had earlier stood themselves down from taking part in Pakistan's upcoming Twenty20 and one-day international matches on their tour of England, but will now be provisionally suspended until the ICC makes a decision on their charges.

"The players have a right to contest this provisional suspension and a further opportunity to defend these charges at a full hearing before an independent Anti-Corruption Tribunal in accordance with Article 5 of the code," the ICC said in a statement.

"The players have 14 days from their receipt of the charge sheet to indicate their desire for a hearing."

The charges were brought in light of allegations the trio were involved in a betting scam after the arrest of a man claiming he bribed the players to fix matches.

Asif and Amir were both suspected of deliberately bowling no-balls at the instruction of Butt, in order to influence betting.

ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat said conclusions should not be made before the charges are properly investigated.

"We will not tolerate corruption in cricket - simple as that. We must be decisive with such matters and if proven, these offences carry serious penalties up to a life ban," Lorgat said.

"The ICC will do everything possible to keep such conduct out of the game and we will stop at nothing to protect the sport's integrity. While we believe the problem is not widespread, we must always be vigilant."

"It is important, however, that we do not pre-judge the guilt of these three players. That is for the independent tribunal alone to decide."

The suspension comes within 24 hours of claims from Pakistan's High Commissioner to the UK Wajid Shamsul Hasan suggesting his countrymen had been set up.