LONDON, Aug 26: Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq's hearing on charges of ball-tampering and bringing cricket into disrepute must wait until the end of next month. International Cricket Council (ICC) chief executive Malcolm Speed said on Saturday that earlier reports had falsely suggested a hearing was set for Sept 15.
Inzamam's case was initially to be heard on Friday.
But after consultation with the legal team assembled by Pakistan for the inquiry into Inzamam's behaviour in the abandoned fourth Test at The Oval last weekend, both parties have agreed to a further delay.
It was put back when it transpired chief referee Ranjan Madugalle was unavailable to chair the hearing because of a family problem, and Speed explained why Inzamam must now wait even longer than had been anticipated.
“When we met with the lawyers for the PCB yesterday — which was a very amicable meeting — we suggested that the hearing happen on the 14th and 15th, bearing in mind that the one-day series finishes the previous Sunday,” Speed said.
“That date did not suit them for one reason or another and they asked for it to be put back. We are looking now for a date that suits the key participants so at this stage we are looking at the last week in September.”
Meanwhile, former Test umpire Dickie Bird believes Inzamam should be acquitted of the charges levelled against him.
Bird believes the ICC now have little option but to acquit Inzamam, facing charges of ball-tampering and bringing the game into disrepute.
“It is looking like the charges are going to be dropped,” said Bird.
“It is looking in favour of Pakistan now and it is my regret that it ever came to this in the first place.
“Everybody should have used a little bit of common sense, tried to finish the Test match then thrashed it out behind closed doors.
“The public had paid a lot of money to watch a cricket match and they did not get it, so they might think twice about going back to cricket in the future.”
Bird officiated in 66 Test matches during his career and believes much hard work needs to be done to rescue the image of the game.
“It is a very, very sad time for cricket and there is no doubt our great game has been badly hurt. But as in the past, I am sure it will eventually get over it,” he said.
Former England captain Mike Atherton said it was “extraordinary” the ICC were yet to charge Hair with any impropriety.
Atherton said: “It seems extraordinary when you consider that Inzamam has been charged on two counts.
“So poor old Inzy finds himself under two charges, but Darrell Hair, after these extraordinary letters, finds himself under no charge whatsoever,” Atherton told Sky Sports News.—AFP