KOLKATA, Jan 11: The Indian board wants the International Cricket Council (ICC) to hear off-spinner Harbhajan Singh’s appeal against a ban for alleged racial abuse before the one-day series in Australia starts on Feb 3.

The ICC has appointed New Zealand High Court judge John Hansen as appeals commissioner but has yet to set a date for the hearing. Rules stipulate the appeal should be heard within a week of the commissioner being appointed, although it can be extended if needed.

“As per the rules, a decision has to be taken within seven days,” President of the BCCI Sharad Pawar told reporters.

“Our desire is to get a hearing before the series also involving Sri Lanka starts. I’m confident of justice being done.”—Reuters