The International Cricket Council (ICC) charged Pakistan captain Inzamam ul-Haq on Monday with bringing the game into disrepute after his team forfeited the fourth Test against England at the Oval.
”There are two charges brought forward by the umpires, one for changing the condition of the ball and the other for bringing the game into disrepute,” Dubai-based ICC spokesperson Jon Long said.
Both charges were brought against Inzamam for his role as captain of Pakistan following the incidents that rocked the fourth day’s play of the final Test on Sunday. The hearing will take place on Friday.
”The charge that was laid yesterday [Sunday] was a level two charge under the ICC code of conduct, of changing the condition of the ball,” ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed said.
”The charge that was laid today [Monday] by all four umpires was for bringing the game of cricket into disrepute — this is a charge under level three of the code of conduct and is more serious than the other one.”
Pakistan refused to take the field following tea on Sunday after they were docked five runs for ball-tampering by the umpires. They again remained in the changing room when the umpires went out a second time 15 minutes later.
The team belatedly took to the field but the umpires ruled that the match was already abandoned and after a lengthy meeting it was awarded to England.
If Inzamam is found guilty on the ball-tampering issue he will face a fine of up to his entire match fee and/or a ban of one Test or two one-dayers, whichever is played earlier.
The charge for bringing the game into disrepute was brought by the umpires following a meeting held on Monday, an ICC release said.
The penalty, if found guilty, would be a ban between two to four Tests or four to eight one-dayers.
The penalties would apply with immediate effect. An appeal would have to be made within 24 hours of the notification and the player would be allowed to continue playing pending its outcome.
ICC’s chief referee Ranjan Madugalle will conduct the hearing in London as Mike Procter, the match referee for the Oval Test, is likely to be asked to give evidence at the hearing, the release said. — Reuters