11 February 2005	Friday	01 Muharram 1426

LONDON, Feb 10: International Cricket Council (ICC) will consider Pakistan's request for two neutral umpires in one-day internationals in the next few months.

ICC spokesman John Long confirmed that ICC had received a letter from Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in the wake of their disappointing tour of Australia.

Pakistanis believe umpiring during the one-day series "heavily favoured" Australia, and want one-day internationals to conform with Tests, in which neutral umpires have been mandatory since 2001.

Currently one-day internationals are controlled by one home and one neutral umpire.

"We have received a letter on that topic and it will be dealt with in the appropriate forum at the appropriate time," Long said.

The matter is likely to get an airing at the next meeting of ICC's cricket committee at Lord's in May.

The cricket committee would then make a recommendation for the chief executives of member countries to consider when they meet in mid-year. The final decision rests with the ICC executive board.

Umpiring has replaced chucking as the hottest issue in international cricket after accusations that umpires have been intimidated by the aura of Australian team.-PPI