KARACHI: With four days to go for the International Cricket Council disciplinary hearing in London, Pakistan all-rounder Imran Khan said Pakistan has weakened its case in the ball-tampering row by not opting to approach court in the first place.
Imran, who led Pakistan to the 1992 World Cup, told an Urdu newspaper that the Pakistan Cricket Board should have gone to court against the ICC immediately after the controversial fourth Test against England at the Oval.
"Pakistan could have gone to court and asked the ICC to produce evidence of the ball-tampering allegation levelled against our players in the Oval Test. It could have asked the ICC to show the ball in court. This would have also got Darrel Hair into trouble," he said.
Pulling up the Board for mishandling the issue, he said, "Shaharyar (PCB chairman) should have taken a stronger stand on this issue. But the board didn't deal with the issue properly."
Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul Haq is set to attend a hearing on September 27 and 28 in London to defend himself against charges of violating the ICC Code of Conduct.
Imran said the disciplinary hearing would be difficult for Pakistan because Hair will be on strong ground legally and will have the backing of the ICC.
"Hair can say he took the action of changing the ball and penalising the Pakistan team five runs under ICC laws. And if the ICC takes action against him he can take them to court," Imran said.
