Verdict removes slur - Pakistan

PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan expresses his delight at the verdict © Getty Images

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Pakistan believe their actions have been vindicated after captain Inzamam-ul-Haq was found not guilty of ball tampering.

Pakistan’s protest at umpire Darrell Hair’s accusations of ball tampering led to the forfeiture of the fourth Test against England at the Brit Oval last month.

Inzamam was found guilty of bringing the game into disrepute for keeping his team off the field but the Pakistan Cricket Board are pleased the first charge was unproven at an International Cricket Council hearing.

PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan said: “We the PCB are totally vindicated by the not guilty verdict on the charge of ball tampering.

“The unequivocal verdict has removed the slur on the good name of our team and our country and restored faith in the game of cricket.”

Inzamam was banned for four one-day internationals as a result of the disrepute verdict.

Inzamam departs the Brit Oval after learning of his ban

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Khan added: “On the second charge of bringing the game into disrepute through protest at the now disproved allegation of ball tampering, we are wholly satisfied with the verdict.

“Inzamam offered his regret at his actions if it brought the game into disrepute.”

Hair will not stand at the forthcoming ICC Champions Trophy, a decision made by the ICC due to “security and safety” reasons.

Khan said: “We have already informed the ICC before this hearing that we would not like Darrell Hair to umpire our matches.

“That is not only the Champions Trophy but also until his contract runs out.

“We have a problem. I am not saying that is something we will live with forever, but we have asked the ICC please do not appoint Mr Hair.

ICC chief match referee Ranjan Madugalle explains his verdict

“If a particular umpire has had a history of problems with a particular country I feel there should be sensitivity to that issue.

“We had asked before and we had Darrell Hair four times in succession. We felt very aggrieved at that.

“It was a time-bomb waiting to go off and it went off.”

Inzamam’s four-match punishment was imposed after a two-day hearing at the Brit Oval chaired by the ICC’s senior match referee, Ranjan Madugalle.

Khan insisted Inzamam’s captaincy “will not be affected by this hearing or this result”.

“I am very satisfied with Inzamam,” he said. “I know he is a person who feels deeply any accusations of malpractice.

“That is why he himself admitted, with hindsight, he should not have acted in the manner he did.

“I think he himself was contrite about it and he said sorry he took this course and he regretted it.”