NZ wants formal match-fixing investigation

New Zealand cricket authorities said on Monday they would send a letter to Pakistan urging it to formally investigate allegations of match-fixing during a recent tour of New Zealand.

New Zealand Cricket operations manager John Reid said he was surprised and disappointed that sacked Pakistan coach Javed Miandad had accused his team of deliberately losing a one-day series to New Zealand in February.

"There will be a letter sent from New Zealand Cricket to the Pakistan board urging them to take some action to verify the nature of the allegations and whether or not the evidence Javed (Miandad) said he has got stands up under scrutiny," Reid said.

The letter was being drafted and would be sent on Monday, he said, adding that the International Cricket Council's (ICC) anti-corruption unit needed to have direct input into any investigation.

Reid said the allegations were particularly distressing as the anti-corruption unit had taken strong action on this aspect of cricket during the last twelve months.

"I guess that is why we find it so surprising that given that environment in world cricket, why a player would ever think of stepping out of line at this stage ... it's such a sensitive issue for the game."

The Pakistan Cricket Board said on Sunday it would investigate the national team's dismal performance in which they were beaten 3-2 in the five-match one-day series against New Zealand after losing the decider at Dunedin by four wickets.

Mail Cricket Editor