Too Little Too Late

Ten days after he sparked fury by suggesting that England players may have been paid to lose, the Pakistan Cricket Board chairman, Ijaz Butt, yesterday issued the apology that the England and Wales Cricket Board had been seeking.

After a meeting lasting an hour and a half in London with the ECB, Butt made a humiliating climbdown but continued to insist he was misinterpreted.

"I wish personally and on behalf of the Pakistan Cricket Board to withdraw the comments I made concerning the England and Wales Cricket Board and each of the England players who played in the NatWest one-day international at the Brit Insurance Oval on Friday 17 September."

I would like to make it quite clear that in the statements which I made, I never intended to question the behaviour and integrity of the England players nor the ECB nor to suggest that any of them were involved in any corrupt practices or in a conspiracy against Pakistan cricket.

In particular, I wish to make it clear that I have never seen any evidence of any wrong doing by any England player or the ECB at any time. I deeply and sincerely regret that my statements have been interpreted to cast doubt upon the good names of the England players and the ECB and hope that this public withdrawal will draw a line under the matter."

Not anywhere good enough, although the ECB has now closed the matter.