LAHORE, Sept 28: Former Test skippers Javed Miandad and Aamir Sohail expressing their views on the Oval fiasco and the subsequent ICC decision on Thursday, stated that Inzamam-ul-Haq could have avoided a ban of four ODIs from the ICC had he followed the laws.

Miandad, while talking to Dawn, said that he was expecting the penalty for Inzamam since his decision of boycotting the play on the fourth day was not in line with the cricket rules.

"If the ICC had not taken any action against Inzamam, it would have had to face huge consequences. The governing body was under pressure to set an example by penalising Inzamam for bringing the game into disrepute otherwise it would have rendered the laws and the ICC code of conduct meaningless," Miandad opined.

He added that if Inzamam had opted to continue playing on the fourth day, Pakistan would have won the Oval Test and he could also have been acquitted of disrepute charges. "Inzamam should have continued

Playing under protest as Pakistan were in a winning position at that time,” said Miandad. “Furthermore it would have conveyed a good impression to the spectators who had been waiting for resumption of play then," Miandad pointed out.

He, however, felt that Inzamam’s ban was a harsh one and should have been be of one Test or two ODIs at the most.

Commenting on Aussie umpire Darrel Hair's future, Miandad said it was now up to the ICC to deal with him. “Hair’s career as an umpire is over because he will always be seen as a controversial figure even if he takes the right decisions," Miandad stressed .

Former chief selector Aamir Sohail, endorsing Miandad’s opinions, said Inzamam had over-reacted in boycotting the Oval Test which resulted in the penalty. "If a law is there, a responsible person has to follow it. Inzamam got a bit carried away at The Oval and was not advised properly by either the team management or the board officials of the consequences the move could bring," said Aamir.

"I believe Inzamam is a wise man and if he had been guided properly, he would have withdrawn the decision."

Aamir emphasised that the Pakistan Cricket Board officials should hold refresher courses for the team managements, enabling them to deal with such incidents in a professional manner.

Not mincing any words on controversial umpire, Darrel Hair, Aamir said the ICC should sack him forthwith as his decision brought great damage to cricket. He said if Hair had any character, he should announce his retirement at once.