DHAKA, Nov 4: Bangladesh welcomed the International Cricket Council decision to remove umpire Darrell Hair from the elite world panel saying the controversial Australian had “committed a gross misconduct”.

Bangladesh captain Habibul Bashar said Hair had overstepped the mark during the Oval Test between Pakistan and England in August which was eventually forfeited amid a row over ball tampering.

“I think what the ICC has done is the right thing,” Habibul said.

Habibul said: “Hair should have spoken to Inzamam and explained things to him before bringing charges of cheating against Pakistan.”

“He does not understand what sort of stress a captain faces during a Test match,” he said.

Bangladesh chief selector Faruq Ahmed also backed the decision.

“Hair brought disrepute to the noble game of cricket when he charged the Pakistan team with cheating,” said Faruq.—AFP