The matter surfaced during Australia's last tour of Pakistan in 1994-5 and Egar says he brought it to the attention of ICC chief executive David Richards.

"When I heard about it, it was just one of those things that one has to listen to and from there just hope that, well if it's not true or if it is true, let somebody prove it. I think at the time the ICC should have taken a hold on the whole allegations," added Egar.

Tim May: Sticking to his guns

He was responding to claims by former Pakistan Cricket Board member Nusrat Azeem that Egar did not believe the complaints made by players Shane Warne, Tim May and Mark Waugh.

Azeem said he had asked Egar why they were not told about the matter during the tour.

He reportedly told the inquiry: "Egar said it was not brought to my notice because not much credence should be paid to this. He said it was an attempt to fracture the Pakistan team."

But Egar said Azeem's comments were merely "adding to the circus".

Warne, May and Waugh allege Pakistan batsman Salim Malik offered them bribes to perform badly in matches.

Salim Malik: Batting in the 2nd Test at Rawalpindi in 1994

Warne and May, who are not on the Pakistan tour, claim Malik offered them $50,000 each to bowl badly in the 1994 Karachi Test.

Waugh alleges he was offered a bribe to bat badly in a one-day game at Rawalpindi, and told the inquiry panel earlier this week that he stood by all his allegations.