Former Proteas coach denies Pak 'fixing' slur

Former South Africa coach Mickey Arthur has denied suggesting a one-day international against Pakistan in 2007 was fixed, saying his comments were taken out of context.

“There is absolutely no foundation to this story whatsoever. Quite simply, my comments were taken completely out of context and I have never accused anybody of anything illegal,” Arthur said on Monday.

“I had absolutely no firsthand experience of anything suspicious, let alone match-fixing in my five years of international cricket,” he said.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) served a legal notice on Arthur after South African website News24 quoted him as saying he had “strong suspicions” of match-fixing.

Arthur, who stood down as South African coach earlier this year, said in an interview last week that there were suspicions that the fifth and final one-day match between Pakistan and South Africa in Lahore in 2007 was fixed.

Pakistan, chasing 240 to win, were well on their way to victory on 149-2 but played their last eight wickets for just 70 runs, losing the match by 14 runs.

“The recently published statement in media attributed to you, in which you have levelled serious allegations after a lapse of three years, aiming to sell your autobiography, is extremely startling,” according to the legal notice.

“You have not brought any evidence to support your allegations and the PCB finds all these allegations frivolous, whimsical, damaging and disparaging to Pakistan cricket.”

The notice demands Arthur respond within seven days, “unconditionally and publicly retract” the statement and offer an “unqualified and unconditional apology”.

It also demands a written undertaking that no such statements will be made publicly again and “that your biography will not contain such or similar libels and disparaging statements against the Pakistan team or any of its members.”

The notice, a copy of which was also sent to the South Africa cricket authorities and International Cricket Council (ICC), also demanded a “substantial sum” in damages.

Pakistani cricket has been blighted by allegations of match-fixing.

The national team’s recent tour of England was marred by spot-fixing allegations that resulted in the suspension of three key players - Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer.