Madugalle to conduct Pakistan ball tampering hearing

MUMBAI, Sept 7, 2006 (AFP) – The International Cricket Council (ICC) said on Thursday that Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq’s hearing in the ball-tampering controversy will be held on September 27 and 28.

Speed said a number of players had signed up to uphold the “spirit of cricket”, breitling replica watchincluding Test captains Brian Lara of the West Indies and Rahul Dravid of India. The much-awaited hearing will be conducted by chief match-referee Ranjan Madugulle of Sri Lanka at a yet unspecified venue, ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed told reporters here.

Inzamam faces charges of ball-tampering and bringing the game into disrepute following the Oval Test fiasco when Pakistan refused to take the field in protest at accusations of cheating by umpires Darrell Hair and Billy Doctrove.

The umpires awarded the match to England, the first forfeit in the 129-year history of Test cricket.

Inzamam, who has been retained as captain for next month’s ICC Champions Trophy in India, faces a ban of 2-4 Test matches or 4-8 one-day internationals if found guilty.

Speed, who regretted the delay in the hearing, clarified that it was not entirely accur