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| August 24, 2006 | Thursday | Rajab 28, 1427 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
Bush sending envoy to Sudan WASHINGTON, Aug 24, (AFP) - President George W. Bush is sending a senior envoy in an attempt to convince the Sudanese government to accept a UN peacekeeping force to halt the "genocide" in the war-torn Darfur region, a US official announced Thursday. (Posted @ 23:34 PST)
Twenty-three dead in violence in DR Congo capital KINSHASA, Aug 24, (AFP) - Twenty-three people were killed in clashes here this week between forces loyal to outgoing Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila and his election challenger, Interior Minister Theophile Mbemba Fundu said Thursday. "The toll at the moment indicates 23 deaths and 43 persons injured during the events," Mbemba said on UN-sponsored Okapi radio. (Posted @ 22:50 PST)
74 Persons died in rains, 255 villages destroyed in Sindh HYDERABAD, August 24 (ppi): Seventy four persons died during the recent heavy rains and river overflows in Sindh and 255 villages were ravaged in Katcha areas along river Indus embankments, Additional Relief Commissioner Sindh Munir Ahmed Memon said Thursday. (Posted @ 20:48 PST)
MQM files reference for disqualification of MMA members ISLAMABAD, Aug 24 (APP): Members of the National Assembly belonging to MQM Thursday filed a reference with the speaker for disqualification of MMA members for tearing up the copies of Protection of Women Bill in the house which contained the words of Allah Almighty, the holy Prophet, and verses from the holy Quran and Sunnah. The reference, signed by 16 members of the MQM, said it should be forwarded to the Chief Election Commission for disqualification of MMA members from the National Assembly. The MQM has separately moved a privilege motion against MMA on the same issue. (Posted @ 20:40 PST)
Jirgah announces end of Aarda`i system in Bugti tribe DERA BUGTI, Pakistan, Aug 24 (APP): The first ever tribal jirga of Dera Bugti Thursday unanimously announced to abandon the "Sardari system" in Bugti tribe. The jirga, attended by thousands of people representing various Bugti sub-tribes in a resolution said: "Today, we from the Bugti tribe, announce bringing an end to the`Nawabi' system and from now onwards the laws of Pakistan would be respected and adhered to". A conciliation committee at district level was set up to resolve the feuds and financial disputes among the Bugti tribe. The Jirga announced bringing to an end the `Lub' system in accordance with the decision of the Bugti Ulema Council. Henceforth no Molvi would solemnize the `Nikah' of a woman given in `Wani,' or a woman who was sold. On violation a fine of Rs. 100,000 would be imposed. It also announced an end to `Phori' systems (Jaga tax). (Posted @ 20:38 PST)
Pakistani Islamists vow to oppose reform of laws; MQM’s rally in support ISLAMABAD, Aug 24 (Reuters) - An opposition alliance of six Pakistani religious parties vowed on Thursday to launch a protest campaign to block the amendment of Islamic laws that liberals have long criticised as unfair to women. "We will go in public and let them know that under the garb of this bill and women rights, the government is deviating from the teachings of the Holy Quran and Sunnah," said Liaqat Baluch, deputy leader of opposition MMA alliance. "They are doing this under outside pressure. It is a foreign agenda and it has nothing to do with Pakistani people," he said. Meanwhile, in Pakistan's biggest city, Karachi, thousands of people attended a rally by pro-government Muttahida Qaumi Movement supporting the amendment of the laws. MQM leaders hit out at the Islamists opposed to amendments, saying they were against progress and the empowerment of women. (Posted @ 20:34 PST)
Building collapses in Lahore, two dead ISLAMABAD, Aug 24 (Reuters) - Several floors of an under-construction shopping arcade collapsed in Lahore on Thursday killing two people and injuring at least 17 others, a government official said. "They were trying to build two more floors when it collapsed," said mayor Mian Amir Mehmood. Dozens of vehicles parked around the construction site were damaged, he said. (First Posted @ 19:40 PST Updated @ 20:06 PST)
Pluto gets demoted as world's astronomers approve new definition for planets PRAGUE, Czech Republic, Aug 24 (AP) _ Leading astronomers on Thursday approved historic new guidelines under which distant Pluto is no longer defined as a planet. After a tumultuous week of clashing over the essence of the cosmos, the International Astronomical Union stripped Pluto of the planetary status it has held since its discovery in 1930. It is the first time that scientists have had a definition of what is _ and is not _ a planet. (Posted @ 20:02 PST)
Pakistan MPs back Inzamam ISLAMABAD, Aug 24 (AFP) - Pakistani MPs Thursday threw their weight behind cricket captain Inzamam ul-Haq in a ball-tampering row and demanded the government take a firm stand against Australian umpire Darrell Hair. Members of an opposition alliance of six religious parties, the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA), tabled a motion in the lower house to discuss the issue, said senior MMA leader Hafiz Hussain Ahmed adding that "we urged the government to formally intervene in the matter." The government should also initiate a probe into why the Pakistan Cricket Board did not seek "removal of Hair when other countries in the subcontinent had lodged a protest against his umpiring," he said. "We condemn Hair's decision to abandon the match in favour of England and we demand a proper enquiry. "We support Inzamam's decision," he said adding that the Pakistan captain was justified in registering protest after the team were dubbed "cheats". (Posted @ 19:50 PST)
Olmert promises $2 bln to rebuild northern Israel NAHARIYA, Israel, Aug 24 (Reuters) - Prime Minister Ehud Olmert promised more than $2 billion in reconstruction funds on Thursday for areas of northern Israel damaged during the 34-day Lebanon war. (Posted @ 19:44 PST)
Building collapses in Lahore ISLAMABAD, Aug 24 (Reuters) - Several floors of an under construction shopping arcade collapsed in Lahore on Thursday, police said. "A few stories on top of the six-storey building collapsed, but we have no information about casualties yet," said city police spokesman Sardar Shah. A private TV station said several people were buried in the rubble. (Posted @ 19:40 PST)
Bangladesh court acquits former military ruler DHAKA, Aug 24 (Reuters) - A Bangladesh court on Thursday acquitted former military ruler Hossain Mohammad Ershad of graft charges in an oil and defence deal, easing the way for his return to the political mainstream ahead of elections next year. Ershad who was ousted from power in a popular movement in December 1990 still faces charges of corruption and abuse of power in half a dozen other cases. (Posted @ 19:30 PST)
More than a dozen Iraqis, 2 Americans killed in Baghdad, nearby towns BAGHDAD, Aug 24 (AP) _ At least 14 Iraqis were killed Thursday in separate bombings and a shooting, officials said. Two U.S. soldiers were also killed. Three soldiers were killed when their armored vehicle was blown up by a roadside bomb in Buhriz, about 60 kilometers north of Baghdad, army commander Brig. Salman al-Talabani said. In Baqouba, a bomb in a minivan killed three policemen and wounded the driver. In Jirf al-Melih, a roadside bomb struck a police patrol, killing one officer and four policemen. In Mashtal, a parked car bomb went off, killing two pedestrians and injuring five others, besides damaging four cars, while another parked car exploded in Azamiyah, killing two civilians and injuring four. Also in Azamiyah, a policeman was killed and another was wounded when gunmen opened fire on their patrol, and a roadside bomb near a mosque in Suleikh missed its intended target of a police patrol but wounded two civilians. In Mosul, two civilians were killed in a drive-by shooting, police Brig. Saied Ahmed Abdullah said. A U.S. soldier was killed on Thursday in a roadside explosion south of Baghdad, a day after another American soldier died in fighting in the same area during a raid to capture ``foreign terrorists,'' the U.S. military command said. (Posted @ 18:30 PST)
Two bombings in Quetta wound at least four people QUETTA, Pakistan, Aug 24 (AP) _ Two bombings Thursday near a government office in Quetta city wounded at least four people, Umar Draz, a local police chief. The explosions occurred seven minutes apart. The first bomb was planted in a car outside the office of the state broadcasting regulator, and the second went off on a plot of land nearby, he said. (Posted @ 18:24 PST)
Woolmer to carry on as Pakistan prepare to play one-dayers LONDON, Aug 24 (AFP) - Bob Woolmer said Thursday he would continue in his post as Pakistan coach, although admitting he had contemplated resigning in the wake of the ball-tampering row. And, in a separate announcement, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Shaharyar Khan insisted the side would go ahead with the one-day international leg of the tour. Woolmer, who some press reports suggested was on the verge of resigning, told AFP: "Throughout this whole affair I have remained solidly behind the Pakistan team and the captain. "I did contemplate resigning as I am 58 and at an age where I do not need these things in my career and life," the former England batsman admitted. "I was very 'down' at the time but I feel it is important now to stay strong at this time. There was no rift between himself, skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq and the players, he added. Shaharyar Khan, also in London, insisted there had been no major rows within the camp. "There may be a few emotions flaring up considering the current scenario but nothing serious." (Posted @ 18:20 PST)
Karachi-Dubai ferry round trip to cost Dh 2,000 ISLAMABAD, Aug 24 (APP): A luxury ferry service between Karachi and Dubai has been approved and will take off on November 2, Captain (retd) Anwar Shah, Director General of Pakistan Ports and Shipping said. The initial round trip fare will be $549 (Dh 2,000). (Posted @ 17:34 PST)
Pakistani PM dismisses opposition criticism ISLAMABAD, Aug 24 (Reuters) - Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz dismissed on Thursday opposition accusations against him and said a motion of no confidence in him would fail in parliament. He also dismissed a 500-page dossier opposition politicians presented to the National Assembly on Wednesday saying "we have not seen anything new in the charge sheet," he told a news conference at parliament. He said he would respond to specific accusations in the debate in parliament but transparency was his government's central pillar. "The opposition's no-confidence move will turn into a confidence vote in the government," said Aziz, a former finance minister credited with turning a sluggish economy into one enjoying good growth. Conservative religious parties and liberal supporters of former prime ministers Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif joined forces to submit the motion.(Posted @ 16:05 PST)
France may send hundreds more troops for UN force in Lebanon:officials PARIS, Aug 24 (AFP) - France may announce Thursday it will send hundreds more troops to join the 400 already deployed in the UN force in Lebanon, officials said.(Posted @ 15:55 PST)
Pakistan forced to call match off LONDON, Aug 24 (AFP) - Heavy overnight rain forced the cancellation of Pakistan's preparations on Thursday for the one-day series against England. Pakistan were due to play Middlesex but overnight rain in Uxbridge had left the ground wet and it was considered unfit to play on. Middlesex coach John Emburey told Sky Sports News: "It's just not going to dry. It was a mutual decision with the two captains, the coaches and the umpires.(Posted @ 15:45 PST)
11 Iraqis, one American killed in violence in Baghdad, nearby towns BAGHDAD, Iraq, Aug 24 (AP) Three soldiers and their armored vehicle were blow up in a roadside bomb explosion on their convoy in Buhriz, about 60 kilometers north of Baghdad, an army official said. A min-van exploded in Baqouba, killing three policemen who had approached it to verify reports of a corpse inside, police said. In Baghdad's eastern neighborhood of Mashtal, a parked car bomb went off, killing two pedestrians and injuring five others, police said. Another parked car exploded in Azamiyah, a neighbourhood in Baghdad, killing two civilians and injuring four, police said. Also in Azamiyah, one policeman was killed and one wounded when unknown assailants opened fire on their patrol, police said. On Thursday, a U.S. soldier was killed in a roadside explosion south of Baghdad, the U.S. military command said.(Posted @ 15:10 PST)
Suspected militants set off landmine near wall separating Gaza and Egypt GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip, Aug 24 (AP) About 50 suspected militants set off a landmine Thursday near the concrete wall marking the Gaza-Egypt border, causing little damage to the wall, Palestinian security officials said.(Posted @ 15:05 PST)
India suspends train to Pakistan after floods KARACHI, Aug 24 (AFP) India has suspended a cross-border rail service with Pakistan for a month after monsoon rains disturbed the track linking the two countries, officials Thursday said. "Indian authorities have informed us that they are closing the operation for four weeks because of some problems on the tracks because of rains," Pakistani Railways Minister Sheikh Rashid said. "We are making arrangements for the (Indian) passengers to ensure their departure from other routes, probably through the Wagah border," Ahmed said.(Posted @ 14:25 PST)
Kashmir is not integral part of India: Mirwaiz ISLAMABAD, Aug 24 (APP) Chairman of All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) Mirwaiz Omer Farooq Thursday said that Kashmir was disputed territory and not integral part of India. Talking to a private TV channel, he said, statement of Indian leadership that Kashmir is integral part of India was not based on reality, adding "Kashmir is disputed territory and under UN resolutions it was still pending for Kashmiris to decide their destiny." He said it was very unfortunate that India was using delaying tactics in resolving core issue of Kashmir. Omer Farooq urged Indian leadership to show flexibility for the fruitful out come of peace process. "It would be difficult to reach any conclusion if India is reluctant not to show flexibility for resolution of Kashmir issue," he added. PHC Chairman said presently Indian troops are violating human rights in Indian Held Kashmir by killing, kidnapping and taking into custody innocent people without any charges. To a question he said APHC has very clear policy that freedom struggle will continue until the Kashmir issue was resolved in accordance with the aspiration of Kashmiri people.(Posted @ 14:15 PST)
Hezbollah vows to respect truce with Israel BEIRUT, Aug 24 (AFP) Hezbollah will not breach the UN-brokered ceasefire with Israel but could respond to violations by the Jewish state, an MP with Hezbollah said in remarks published Thursday. "The resistance (Hezbollah) is committed to the cessation of hostilities until the complete ceasefire is achieved," Mohamed Raad said in an interview with Al-Balad newspaper. "The resistance will not give the enemy the chance to provoke it and lure it into confrontations that Israel could use as a justification to keep its forces in Lebanon," Raad said. "The priority of the resistance is the complete Israeli withdrawal," he said. Israeli forces are still occupying at least nine areas along the border.(Posted @ 14:15 PST)
U.S. Army soldier, two fighters killed in combat south of Baghdad BAGHDAD, Aug 24 (Reuters) In Baghdad south, a U.S. soldier was killed on Wednesday after his unit clashed with militants, the U.S. military said Thursday. Two insurgents were also killed in the fighting, it said. Police has also found bodies of three people, handcuffed and with gunshot wounds, in Kut, 170 km southeast of Baghdad. Police found three more bodies, handcuffed and with gunshot wounds, one in the town of Suwayra, one in a river near Latifiya and one was retreived from the Tigris river in the city of Tikrit. In a hospital in Mosul bodies of seven people with gunshot wounds were received, including five from the same family, a hospital source said. Separately, gunmen killed three policemen on Wednesday at a checkpoint in Balad, 80 km north of Baghdad, police said. The body of an Iraqi was found near the town of Baiji, 180 km north of Baghdad, police said Thursday. Three policemen and three civilians were wounded when a roadside bomb exploded near a police patrol in the city of Baquba, police said, while a civilian was wounded when a roadside bomb went off near a shop.(Posted @ 14:00 PST)
U.S. Army soldier killed in combat south of Baghdad BAGHDAD, Iraq, Aug 24 (AP) A U.S. Army soldier was killed in fighting Wednesday during a raid south of Baghdad to capture ``foreign terrorists,'' the U.S. military said Thursday, adding that, two terrorists were also killed during the fire fight.(Posted @ 12:20 PST)
Sri Lankan air force strikes rebel base in northeast COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, Aug 24 (AP) Sri Lanka's military launched an airstrike on a rebel Tamil Tiger sea base in the northeast early Thursday, a military spokesman said.(Posted @ 11:55 PST)
Israel's military chief acknowledges failings in Lebanon war JERUSALEM, Aug 24 (AP) In a letter to the troops, Israel's military chief acknowledged for the first time that there were shortcomings in the military's performance during the recent Lebanon war. In a letter to Israeli troops, military chief Lt. Gen. Dan Halutz wrote: ``Alongside the achievements, the fighting uncovered shortcomings in various areas _ logistical, operational and command. We are committed to a thorough, honest, rapid and complete investigation of all the shortcomings and successes.'' ``Questions will be answered professionally, and everyone will be investigated _ from me down to the last soldier,'' according to the letter, released by the military Thursday.(Posted @ 11:50 PST)
Sudan rejects draft UN resolution on Darfur KHARTOUM, Sudan, Aug 24 (AP) Sudan's ruling party has rejected a U.S.-British draft Security Council resolution to deploy United Nations peacekeepers in Darfur, saying it would violate national sovereignty, the official media reported Thursday.(Posted @ 11:45 PST)
Umpire row 'could split Test nations': Pakistan minister LONDON, Aug 24, (AFP) Pakistan's sports minister Mian Shamim Haider has warned that the ball-tampering row which blew up here last week could split cricket's world governing body. There was a "real possibility" Asia's four Test-playing countries would form a faction within the International Cricket Council (ICC) over the row, which has prompted racism claims against umpire Darrell Hair, he said. "He's been controversial. He had done the same thing with the Indians, he had done the same thing with the Sri Lankans, Bangladesh," Haider told the BBC. "There could be groups and the ICC would be divided into two groups." The minister called for the ICC to withdraw the claim that Pakistan cheated in the fourth Test against England or bring evidence to prove it. "We feel they should withdraw these allegations or if they have the cameras, they have the proof, they can prove it. If they prove it, fine, we don't mind."Australian Prime Minister John Howard said, "there are rules and, provided the rules are followed and properly applied, then the umpires should be supported." "Once you start cutting and running from supporting umpires, you have chaos." Howard had also previously supported Hair in an earlier controversy when he no-balled Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralitharan for a faulty action. Hair was proved wrong. Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraff has also weighed into the dispute, a move endorsed by his sports minister. "I think the president did the right thing. He had to support his team," Haider said.(Posted @ 11:40 PST)
One rebel killed, four soldiers wounded in Philippine clash ZAMBOANGA, Philippines, Aug 24 (AFP) One Muslim militant was killed and four Marines wounded in a clash on the southern Philippine island of Jolo, an official said Thursday. Troops out on patrol ran into an undetermined number of Abu Sayyaf militants near the town of Patikul at dawn, triggering the fighting, a spokesman said. One gunman was killed, while four soldiers were wounded.(Posted @ 11:30 PST)
One rebel killed, four soldiers wounded in Philippine clash ZAMBOANGA, Philippines, Aug 24 (AFP) One Muslim militant was killed and four Marines wounded in a clash on the southern Philippine island of Jolo, an official said Thursday. Troops out on patrol ran into an undetermined number of Abu Sayyaf militants near the town of Patikul at dawn, triggering the fighting, a spokesman said. One gunman was killed, while four soldiers were wounded.(Posted @ 11:30 PST)
Troops kill two militants in occupied Kashmir JAMMU, occupied Kashmir, Aug 24 (AFP) Indian security forces Thursday shot dead two suspected militants including a Hindu who had embraced Islam, both alleged to be members of Hizbul Mujahedin, police said. The two were killed in Doda district.(Posted @ 11:15 PST)
US-led air raid kills seven Afghan civilians ASADABAD, Afghanistan, Aug 24 (Reuters) A U.S.-led coalition air strike killed seven Afghan civilians on Thursday in the Shegal district of Kunar province, officials said. The pre-dawn attack hit a house where village elders had gathered to settle a dispute. "Seven people, several of them village elders, were killed in the bombing and the coalition also made some arrests," one official said.(Posted @ 10:10 PST)
Top Islamic Jihad militant in West Bank shot and seriously wounded JERUSALEM, Aug 24 (Agencies) A top Palestinian activist, Hossam Jaradat, the West Bank leader of Islamic Jihad was shot in the head and seriously wounded by Israeli soldiers in the Jenin refugee camp, hospital officials said. But Islamic Jihad said they were not sure Israel was behind the shooting. The Israeli army said it was checking into the report. In a separate incident, a Hamas activist was killed and four others were wounded by shrapnel from a shell fired by an Israeli tank at Abassan near Khan Yunes during an Israeli army incursion into the south of the Gaza Strip early Thursday, a Palestinian hospital source said. A brother of the dead man and an important local Hamas figure, was arrested during the operation.(Posted @ 10:05 PST)
India considering withdrawing peacekeepers from Lebanon NEW DELHI, Aug 24 (AP) India is considering withdrawing its existing peacekeepers from southern Lebanon, even as the international community struggles to find troops to bolster forces there, officials said. ``We are considering withdrawing our troops from Lebanon,'' Defense Minister Pranab Mukherjee said late Wednesday. Mukherjee, however, said the 775 Indian soldiers would not leave before U.N. reinforcements arrive.(Posted @ 09:40 PST)
Three shot dead in Thailand's Muslim south YALA, Thailand, Aug 24 (AFP) - Three people including a soldier have been killed in separate shootings by suspected Islamic militants in Thailand's insurgency-torn south, police said Thursday. The three provinces were an ethnic Malay sultanate until Buddhist Thailand annexed them a century ago, and separatist unrest has simmered ever since. More than 1,400 people have been killed since the latest insurgency erupted in January 2004.(Posted @ 09:30 PST)
US dismisses Syrian objections to Lebanese force WASHINGTON, Aug 24 (AFP) The United States on Wednesday flatly dismissed Syria's strong objections to the possible deployment of a multinational force along the Syria-Lebanon border. Asked whether Washington took Damascus's reservations seriously, White House spokeswoman Dana Perino replied: "No."(Posted @ 09:30 PST)
Hamas activist killed by Israeli army GAZA CITY, Aug 24 (AFP) A Hamas activist, Youssef Abu Dakka, was killed and four others were wounded by shrapnel from a shell fired by an Israeli tank at Abassan near Khan Yunes during an Israeli army incursion into the south of the Gaza Strip early Thursday, a Palestinian hospital source said. Younis Abu Dakka, a brother of the dead man and an important local Hamas figure, was arrested during the operation.(Posted @ 09:10 PST)
COMMENT: The day cricket broke free By Saad Shafqat
ASK yourself, what would you have done? An umpire wearing his bias on his face, with a history of behavior steeped in the bile of prejudice; in a country ill at ease with you and your kind; raising an allegation that has rankled for a decade and a half; making an abrupt assessment devoid of proof, fairness or commonsense; who finally delivers a verdict and penalty unprecedented in the annals of Test cricket.
With all of this swirling about, if you had come running down those Oval steps after tea and got on with the business of the game as if nothing had happened, then you are either an angel or a fool.
Inzamam-ul-Haq is neither. He decided enough is enough. The time had come to stand up to an abuse of authority that has been allowed to go on too long. From the looks of it, Inzamam was standing up to Darrell Hair.
But whether he realized it or not, he was actually taking on far more — the weight of the ICC, the game’s ultimate authority figure; a century and more of Test cricket culture and tradition; the game’s colonial roots; Western distaste for Pakistan and Pakistanis; and menacing administrators and power figures everywhere who think they can get away with anything, and do.
This is what makes Inzamam’s stand so heroic. The scope of what he went up against is so vast, the implications so portentous, that the very fact of his resistance has made him unassailable.
Both umpires were out there, both batsmen were at the crease, and the match had worked up to a nice boil, but Inzamam said, it’s not cricket, and he was right. It was a simple act of defiance, but the kind that can unleash sea changes and sweeping transformations.
For over half a century — ever since Fazal Mahmood’s phenomenal 12 for 99 in 1954 — Pakistani fans have known exactly who they meant when they referred to the ‘Oval hero’. That changed last Sunday. When you say ‘Oval hero’ now, you’ve got to specify.
What was Hair thinking? Had there been any proof behind his ball-tampering allegations, it would have been out by now. No one’s produced any proof because there isn’t any.
The ball was 56 overs old, it had been hit about the park and into the stands, and there were 26 TV cameras constantly rolling to collect footage from every conceivable angle. You do the math.
The only rational explanation for Hair’s actions seems to be racial bias. It is, perhaps, possible that he is just a nutcase, but then he would have acted nutty with everyone, not just with Sri Lanka, India and Pakistan, as his umpiring history clearly shows.
Every one of Hair’s actions in this incident — no warning or consultation with the fielding captain, reaching a verdict that he cannot defend, rushing to forfeiture without overtures to the aggrieved side, and refusing to accept an olive branch when finally offered — betrays his malicious intent.
The ICC has hurried to protect the umpire. Their approach is sad, predictable, and lazy. It saves them the effort of investigating and convicting an authority figure, which can never be pretty, and also gives them the comfort that comes with self-preservation. But this approach also makes them blind to the awesome gravity of what has happened. Their haughtiness reeks with the stench of colonialism.
When Malcolm Speed addressed a press conference to charge Inzamam with bringing the game into disrepute, he sounded hollow and puny, like the abandoned emissary of a crumbling empire on its last legs.
Cricket is no longer a colonial game and the empires are long gone, but the ICC insists on clinging to the idea. The tipping point may well have been reached on August 20, 2006. If justice prevails, this will go down in history as the day when cricket finally broke free of its colonial shackles.
Whether the ICC finds Inzamam guilty or not is irrelevant. By refusing to play, he has already rejected the ambit of the ICC and flung himself into the court of public opinion (where, by the way, he’s winning handsomely).
But the ICC must definitely punish Hair and expel him from the elite panel. They need to make an example of him. Failure to do so will aggravate the open sores in cricket’s current governance structure — mean umpires, lazy referees, a blinkered ICC, the whole lot.
With PCB chairman Shahryar Khan and President Musharraf — not to mention legions of fans — firmly behind Inzamam, failure to punish Hair will also mean taking on the entire Pakistani nation and diaspora and God knows who else besides. This is playing with fire. You do so at your own peril.
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