COLOMBO, Aug 21: Controversial Australian umpire Darrell Hair was on Monday subjected to ridicule and scorn by Sri Lankan cricket experts after accusing Pakistan of ball-tampering in the Oval Test.

Sri Lankans have not forgiven Hair for no-balling spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan seven times for a suspect bowling action during a Test match against Australia in Melbourne in 1995.

Hair further enraged the Sri Lankans, and many cricket fans within the Indian sub-continent, by branding Muralitharan's action “diabolical” in his autobiography ‘The Decision Maker’.

Arjuna Ranatunga, who was Muralitharan's captain in that Melbourne Test, said he was not surprised by Hair's ruling against the Pakistanis. The Oval Test against England was cancelled on Sunday after the Pakistanis failed to take to the field after the tea interval in protest.

Ranatunga, Sri Lanka's celebrated World Cup-winning captain in 1996, accused Hair of deliberately targeting Asian teams.

“Can anyone explain to me why Asian teams suffer when Darrell Hair is the umpire?” Ranatunga asked.

“This man has concluded that someone is a cheat without providing proper evidence. The games reputation is at stake and the ICC needs to step in and do something about it.

“Inzy (Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq) is one of the nicest guys I have come across. If I had been the captain, I would have had no hesitation in walking off.

“I think former captains like Imran Khan of Pakistan and Sunil Gavaskar of India would have done the same thing because Hair has something against Asian nations.

“Hair is a misfit in today's cricket because he acts in a high-handed manner whenever he officiates.”

Former Sri Lankan cricket chief Thilanga Sumathipala demanded that Hair be removed immediately as a Test umpire.

“Hair no longer stands in Sri Lanka's games, I don't think he should stand against any team,” said Sumathipala.

“He is an attention-seeker and wants commercial value for whatever he does.

“On that 1995-96 tour of Australia Hair officiated in earlier tour games where Muralitharan played and did not question his action.

“But he chose the Melbourne Test to do it when he knew the whole world was watching.

“He published a book after the Muralitharan controversy, don't be surprised if he comes out with another book now. He needs a platform for himself at the cost of the game.

“Hair thinks he is bigger than the players, the spectators, officials and above all the game. He should be sacked immediately.”—AFP