|
|
|
| October 11, 2006 | Wednesday | Ramazan 17, 1427 |
Hair still not forgiven for Oval fiasco: Shaharyar
KARACHI, Oct 10: Shaharyar M. Khan, the former chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), said on Tuesday that Australian umpire Darrell Hair had still not been forgiven for his role in August's forfeited Oval Test against England.
Shaharyar, who resigned last week over the furore, said his replacement as chairman, Dr Nasim Ashraf, would continue to press the International Cricket Council (ICC) to launch an inquiry into Hair's role in the debacle.
“It's a wrong impression that we have forgiven Hair. Instead, our lawyer has prepared a paper and the new chairman has also vowed to further the case,” he said.
At the Oval Test, Hair and fellow umpire Billy Doctrove of West Indies accused Pakistan of tampering illegally with the ball.
This led to the Pakistan team's refusal to continue the Test which umpires later awarded to England on forfeit – the first time this had happened in Test cricket's 129-year history.
An ICC disciplinary hearing acquitted Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul Haq of the ball-tampering charges but banned him for four one-day matches for bringing the game into disrepute by leading his team in protest.
Shaharyar said Pakistan has a strong case in calling for an inquiry into Hair's behaviour as the side had later agreed to come out and play only for the umpires then to refuse to take the field.
“After Pakistan agreed to play, Hair's conduct was unbecoming of an international official and we have quoted all rules and regulations in our demand for an inquiry against Hair,” he said.Hair was further embarrassed by a leaked e-mail to an ICC official in which he offered to resign in exchange for a 500,000 dollar pay-off.
The 53-year-old umpire was not appointed in the ongoing Champions Trophy in India but the ICC have said that Hair still has a future at international level.
The PCB on Tuesday officially rejected ECB's demand of Oval Test compensation, saying Hair was responsible for the loss of play in the Test.
Meanwhile, Shaharyar also clarified Mushtaq Ahmed was not appointed assistant coach on Inzamam's wishes.
”We took into consideration Mushtaq's contribution as bowling coach in the home series against England and India last year and he proved a bridge between players and coach Bob Woolmer as he speaks both English and Urdu,” he said.
Mushtaq was sacked as assistant coach by the new PCB chief last week, saying Pakistan did not need assistant coach for Champions Trophy.
The former leg-spinner's appointment was criticised by a match fixing inquiry judge Justice Malik Mohammad Qayyum who barred him from holding any post with the team for his alleged role in fixing.—AFP
|
|
|
|
