Inzamam gets 4-match ODI ban for bringing game into disrepute

Ashis Ray 

LONDON: Pakistan skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq may not appeal against the International Cricket Council’s decision to bar him from playing Pakistan’s next four ODIs after ICC chief referee Ranjan Madugalle found him guilty of bringing the game into disrepute. Haq was, however, cleared of ball-tampering charges.

The four-match ban is the most lenient punishment that could have been meted out for a Level 3 offence under the ICC’s code of conduct.

Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Sharyar said the PCB stood “totally vindicated” after the “unequivocal verdict” on ball tampering and that Pakistan does not want Australian umpire Darrell Hair to supervise its matches in future.

Interestingly, Madugalle’s judgment bypassed law 42.3 (relating to ball tampering), which says the umpire’s decision is final. The chief referee said he had been advised by ICC lawyer Pushpinder Saini to take into account the views of ICC witnesses. Statements from witnesses did not support Hair’s charge that the Pakistanis had tampered with the ball.  

Madugalle said there wasn’t “sufficiently cogent evidence” to indict Inzamam and that the ball showed no more wear and tear than it was expected to show after being in use for 56 overs.

Hair did not comment on the hearing or its conclusions but said there were no allegations of racism against him at the hearing. Billy Doctrove, the other umpire who officiated with Hair in the match, said he “stood by” the original ruling but accepted Madugalle’s over-rule on the grounds that “the law had taken its path”.

Under the laws of cricket, umpires are not required to give any reason for the steps they take. But Hair appears to have been hung out to dry by Madugalle’s insistence on “concrete evidence” and natural justice.

Madugalle’s decree makes it imperative for the ICC to re-examine the laws of cricket, including reviewing the powers of the umpire. This will mean a fundamental departure from past practice. It is also likely to at least partially undermine the umpire’s authority.