September 30, 2006	Saturday	Ramazan 6, 1427

Please Visit our Sponsor (Ads open in separate window)

MUMBAI, Sept 29: India's cricket chiefs added a new twist to the Darrell Hair saga on Friday, insisting there were no security concerns that forced him off the Champions Trophy panel.“I don't know why the International Cricket Council has said that Hair was stopped from standing in the tournament because of security concerns,” Indian cricket board secretary Niranjan Shah told reporters here.

“There are no security concerns in India. We have never said that Hair or any other umpire could face security problems.”

Shah confirmed that the Indian board had earlier this week asked the ICC not to consider Hair for the Champions Trophy, but denied they cited security concerns as the reason.

Shah had said on Tuesday: “We have nothing against the man (Hair), but since there is so much controversy surrounding him, it may be better that Hair is not appointed for the Champions Trophy.

“We don't want any trouble during the tournament.”

Asked on Friday what he had meant by “we don't want any trouble,” Shah said: “We had only expressed concern about the controversy surrounding him which could distract attention from the tournament.”

The ICC announced on Thursday that Hair would not officiate in the Oct 7 to Nov 5 Champions Trophy due to “concerns over his safety and security and also the safety and security of those around him during the tournament.”

ICC spokesman James Fitzgerald said the world governing body was “very happy” with India's security arrangements.

“It was felt that it would be better if Hair was withdrawn from the tournament for his own safety,” he said.

Shah said he did not want to comment on India's view of Hair's future as a test umpire.

“It is the ICC's prerogative,” he said. “We'll see to that in future. I don't want to go into it now.”

“But in general, we don't want to jump the gun as we feel the appointment of the umpires is best left to the ICC.”

Bangladesh Cricket Board Chief Executive Officer Mahmudur Rahman said in Dhaka: “We think in this situation of controversy, this is the wise decision by the ICC.

“We always accept the umpire's decision is final in the field while we also believe if any umpire's decision leads to such a controversy, all avoidable options should be evaluated to reach a satisfactory solution.”

PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan on Thursday reiterated his stand that Hair should not stand in Pakistan matches and wanted the ICC to carry out an investigation into the umpire's conduct.

“We have already written to the ICC asking them to investigate Mr Hair's conduct in this Test and bringing the game into disrepute,” he said.

Hair, however expressed surprise over reasons laid out by ICC, saying he had no fears about going to India.

Denying that he was axed, Hair said his contract with ICC provided he could be hired as an umpire as and when required.

“I did not say I was concerned about my safety if I had gone to India and I've received no threats. My contract with ICC says I will be available to umpire as and where required,” The Sun quoted Hair as saying after ICC hearing found Pakistan skipper Inzamam as not guilty for ball tampering.

“If they have, for those reasons in their minds, decided not to send me to Champions Trophy, I accept that decision,” said Hair.

Insisting he had no fears about going to India and had received no threats of violence, Hair said: “ICC have a security unit which advises us on all sorts of aspects of safety and I always accept that.”—Agencies