Inzamam set for Oval return in ICC hearing by AFP

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Ground:	Kennington Oval, Kennington
Scorecard:	England v Pakistan
Player:	Inzamam-ul-Haq, DB Hair, BR Doctrove
Event:	Pakistan in British Isles 2006

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DateLine: 26th September 2006

 

Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq will return to The Oval later this week to face disciplinary charges arising from his role in the team's sensational forfeit of the fourth Test against England at the south London ground last month, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said Monday.

 

So incensed were Pakistan by the decision of on-field umpires Darrell Hair and Billy Doctrove to penalise them five runs for ball-tampering they refused to take the field after tea on the fourth day of the fourth and final Test on August 20.

 

As a result the umpires deemed Pakistan had forfeited the match - the first time this had happened in 129 years of Test cricket - and England were awarded a win which gave them the series 3-0.

 

Now a two-day hearing starting at The Oval on Wednesday, presided over by ICC chief match referee Ranjan Madugalle, will see Inzamam having to answer charges of ball-tampering, as captain, and bringing cricket into disrepute.

 

If found guilty of the first charge Inzamam faces a fine of between 50 and 100 percent of his match fee and/or a one Test or two one-day internationals (ODI) ban.

 

And if the second charge is proved against the Pakistan skipper he faces a ban of between two and four Test matches or four to eight ODI matches.

 

In a statement, the ICC said that among those confirmed as attending the hearing, which will be held in private, were Australia's Hair, West Indies' Doctrove as well as fourth Test match referee and legendary South Africa all-rounder Mike Procter.

 

English officials Peter Hartley and Trevor Jesty, third umpire and fourth umpire respectively during the fourth Test, were also due to attend as was ICC umpires and referees manager Doug Cowie, who was at The Oval on the fateful fourth day.

 

Hair was at the centre of fresh controversy after the match when ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed revealed the umpire had sent the world governing body an e-mail saying he would stand down from their elite panel of officials in exchange for 500,000 dollars - an offer he later rescinded.

 

Former New Zealand Test umpire Cowie also came under the spotlight for not rejecting Hair's offer out of hand when it was first put to him.

 

As well as Inzamam, Pakistan's representatives at the hearing are expected to include coach Bob Woolmer, the former England all-rounder, and Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Shaharyar Khan.

 

Madugalle will be assisted by David Pannick QC, one of Britain's leading sports lawyers.

 

Meanwhile Pakistan's legal team will be led by Mark Gay of leading London law firm DLA Piper who successfully represented the Football Association when it banned Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand for missing a drugs test in 2003.

 

At the conclusion of the hearing Madugalle has a maximum of 24 hours to reach his decision, although he can do so earlier, which means Inzamam should know his fate by Friday UK time at the latest.

 

The ICC said once a decision had been reached it would hold a media conference at The Oval.

 

Any ban for Inzamam, who is facing his eleventh charge since the ICC's code of conduct wad introduced in 1992, could affect the star batsman's participation in next month's ICC Champions Trophy one-day tournament in India.

 

It has also still to be confirmed if Hair will be umpiring at that event and, if so, whether he will be standing in any Pakistan fixtures after the PCB requested, in the aftermath of events at The Oval, that he banned from officiating in any of their team's future matches.

(Article: Copyright © 2006 AFP)