New Zealand Cricket asks for clarification from Miandad

Fallout from former Pakistan coach Javed Miandad's claims of match fixing on the recent tour of New Zealand continued today.

New Zealand Cricket has messaged the Pakistan Cricket Board seeking clarification of the PCB's position, and confirmation of the legitimacy of allegations attributed to Miandad.

The former coach himself has denied making match-fixing allegations.

"I was shocked to learn about the agency (AFP) report quoting me as making match-fixing allegations, I outrightly deny making any such accusations in my statement issued on Saturday," Miandad said told The News, a Pakistan newspaper today.

When he heard of the allegations, Miandad is reported to have rung several journalists clarifying his position.

"I don't know how the statement was attributed to me that I said that the Pakistan Cricket Board should hold an inquiry to find out if the matches in New Zealand were fixed," he said.

The veteran of 124 Tests said he had asked the foreign agency to carry his denial and hoped this had been done.

"What I said was that the Board should hold an internal inquiry to find out the causes of defeat in the series in New Zealand, what led to the injuries, the below par performances, but my demand was based on purely cricketing reasons not because I suspect match fixing."

He said how could he make allegations of match fixing without having any evidence or proof with him?

"In the past I have never made such allegations, simply because I cannot substantiate them. Why should I do it now?"

The PCB Chairman Lt General Tauqir Zia yesterday announced the board would hold an inquiry to find out the reasons for the defeats in New Zealand, but stressed Miandad had not made match-fixing allegations against any player.

"I think he has been misquoted badly by the agency because I know Miandad and he called me up to clarify his position. His reasons for wanting an inquiry are based on cricket because he believes he is being blamed for the defeats, which is not true."

"But we would like to know what led to such below par performances in New Zealand by the team and the high rate of injuries. But there is no question of having a match fixing inquiry."

Zia said Miandad had his reservations and opinion on the commitment and performance of some players under him as coach and the Board would look into them.

Miandad however said he stood by everything else he had said in his statement including the fact that some players did not listen or cooperate with him and that the senior players were not fullfilling their responsibility and duties towards the team and country as true professionals.

"Naturally I am hurt by the defeat in New Zealand. And I want the Board to find out themselves whether it was my fault the team lost. I am also upset with the way some players have reacted to me as coach. Because I have never compromised when it has come to Pakistan cricket."

Pakistan ordered an inquiry Sunday into the cricket team's dismal performance on the recent tour of New Zealand but said it would not probe match fixing allegations, officials said.

"The inquiry will be about players' attitude, their injury problems and below performance during the one-day series in New Zealand," Zia told.

"The inquiry will not be about match fixing as Miandad has denied saying anything on match fixing. He has told us that he has demanded a normal inquiry and not any match fixing inquiry," Tauqir said.