Indians slam Bacher's claim

Bacher speaking at the King Commission

Indian cricket authorities have officially protested to the International Cricket Council over match-fixing claims alleged by South African chief Ali Bacher.

Bacher, during a testimony to the King Commission investigating the disgraced former South African cricket captain Hansie Cronje, claimed that India's 1999 World Cup win against Pakistan was fixed.

The president of the cricket board of control in India, A C Muthiah, said he had notified the ICC about seeking action against Bacher.

Bacher told the inquiry that two World Cup matches in England last year - India v Pakistan and Pakistan v Bangladesh - were fixed.

We want the ICC to take action against him for bringing Indian cricket a bad name without providing any proof

A C Muthiah

Bacher said he had no proof to substantiate his charges, except that he had been told about this by former Pakistani cricket chief executive Majid Khan and an alleged bookmaker called 'Mr R'.

Muthiah said: "We are angry that Bacher withheld the information from the ICC when it met in May to discuss the match-fixing scandal.

"We want the ICC to take action against him for bringing Indian cricket a bad name without providing any proof."

Muthiah wants Bacher's allegation to be included in the agenda of ICC's general body meeting in London later this week.

"According to the ICC's code of conduct, any member who is privy to information about match-fixing should bring it to it's notice," he said.

"Bacher did not say anything to the ICC in May but spoke out only before the King Commission."

Sensational

India beat Pakistan by 47 runs at Old Trafford, their only success in the super-six phase of the World Cup.

Pakistan, on the other hand, went on to reach the final where they lost to Australia by eight wickets.

Bacher's sensational allegation was rubbished by Indian cricket board secretary Jayawant Lele.

"How can a match between India and Pakistan be fixed when both teams are out to get one another," said Lele.

"Pakistan was keen on beating India because they had never beaten us in the World Cup."

Anshuman Gaekwad, India's coach at the World Cup, said he did not believe his team's victory was tainted.

"It was a very competitive game," said Gaekwad.

"Pakistan fought hard before going down. I went into the Pakistani dressing room after the match and the players were very depressed by the defeat."

Pakistan, chasing India's modest 227 for six from 50 overs, were all out for 180 in the 46th over.