Eight Pakistan players, including former captain Shahid Afridi, have reportedly been fined for breaching a team curfew ahead of their crucial World Cup game against India.

They have also been warned that a repeat offence will see them kicked out of the tournament which starts on Saturday, reports AFP.

‘Eight of the Pakistan players, which also included former captain Shahid Afridi and opener Ahmed Shehzad, were fined 300 Australian dollars after they came late to their Sydney hotel on Sunday,’ sources said on Thursday on condition of anonymity.

The team management, headed by manager Naveed Cheema, a former military man, claimed the players arrived 45 minutes late after a night out.

‘These players went with their friends for dinner but came back late,’ said a team source.

The players are understood to have apologised and have promised not to repeat the offence.

Team management have told the players that if such a breach was repeated they will be sent home on the first available flight.

Pakistan are placed in Group B of the 14-team World Cup which starts in New Zealand and Australia from Saturday.

Pakistan play their first group game against arch-rivals and title-holders India in Adelaide on Sunday.

ICC HAVE GRIP ON MATCH-FIXING

Cricket World Cup bosses are confident any bid to corrupt the outcome of any matches will be quickly snuffed out after years of their own snooping, reports AAP.

The 43-day showcase tournament kicks off properly in Australia and New Zealand on Saturday but during the last few years the sport has been blighted by revelations bookmakers have been influencing play within matches around the world.

International Cricket Council chief executive Dave Richardson says it can never be guaranteed any tournament will be corruption-free.

However, the ICC was probably the best prepared it has ever been and it had been working with Australian and New Zealand law enforcement bodies for two or three years in preparation, he told Radio New Zealand.

‘We have got a very good handle of who these corrupt individuals might be who are travelling the world who may try to influence matches by contacting players, or umpires or groundsmen,’ said Richardson.

‘I am sure that any attempt made will be thwarted by the measures put in place.’

Law changes have been introduced in New Zealand to make match-fixing illegal and measures have been put in place to combat people at matches placing spot bets to beat delays in televised coverage.