ICC Decisions: Victories for Pakistan?

Adil Najam

Important decisions just came in on the Inzimam-Hair saga, and they seem like – for most part – victories for Pakistan.

Inzimam is cleared of ball- tampering charges but suspended for four one-day internationals for ‘bringing the game into disrepute‘ by refusing to play (see background and discussion here). Meanwhile, controversial Australian umpire Darrell Hair who created the entire storm is not going to officiate in the forthcoming Champions Trophy.

The summary of Ranjan Mudagalle’s (ICC’s senior match referee) findings on the code of conduct hearing are:

Ball-tampering. On the first charge of ball-tampering under paragraph 2.9 of the Code, I find Mr ul-Haq not guilty. Having regard to the seriousness of the allegation of ball-tampering (it is an allegation of cheating), I am not satisfied on the balance of probabilities that there is sufficiently cogent evidence that the fielding team had taken action likely to interfere with the condition of the ball.

In my judgment, the marks are as consistent with normal wear and tear of a match ball after 56 overs as they are with deliberate human intervention. Mr Saini (acting on behalf of the ICC) submitted that I should not reject the consistent views of the experienced ICC witnesses. I have considered their evidence, honestly and fairly given, very carefully. But my duty is to form and give my own judgment.

Bringing the game into disrepute. On the second charge of bringing the game into disrepute by refusing to play, I find Mr ul-Haq guilty in that on two occasions he led a protest against the Umpires by failing to come onto the field of play at the relevant time. I will now hear Mr Gay (acting on behalf of the Pakistan Cricket Board) on any submissions you wish to make on the appropriate penalty. I take the view, subject of course to any further submissions Mr Gay may wish to make, that this is a Level 3 charge, leading to a penalty of a ban of between 2 and 4 Test Matches or between 4 and 8 ODI Matches.

The Pakistan side and Inzimzm-ul-Haq seem to view this as a victory and have decided not to challenge the second part of the decision (4-ODI suspension).

According to one report, Inzimam’s reaction was (full story here): “The whole nation has supported our decision. This was a matter of respect for our team and country. We fought for what we thought was right. Team’s reputation in the past hasn’t been great and so this was important. It was important to register our protest because if we didn’t then it wouldn’t have gotten this far even and now it has been proved we are not guilty of ball tampering. This is a victory for Pakistan. I had an idea that I would face some sort of ban. This is the most lenient ban and I will not appeal against it.”

The head of the Pakistan Board, Shahriyar Khan expressed similar satisfaction, saying, “We are very satisfied… We feel the whole process is very fair.”

Meanwhile, in a related matter, that can also be seen as a victory for Pakistan – and certainly saves Pakistan from what would otherwise have been an acrimonious international debate – Darrell Hair will not be umpiring at the forthcoming Champions Trophy (Pakistan had hinted that it might even withdraw if he did). According to CricInfo:

After weeks of speculation, it has been confirmed that Darrell Hair will not stand in the Champions Trophy in India next month. “Darrell Hair will not umpire the ICC on the basis of safety and security concerns,” Brian Murgatroyd, the ICC’s media manager, said. “An announcement on the appointment of officials for that tournament will be made in due course.” Asked if this was nothing more than a convenient get-out, Muragtroyd replied: “Not as far as I am aware”. Cricinfo is aware that there has been considerable discussion and disagreement within the ICC in recent days over Hair’s involvement in the tournament.