India have asked the International Cricket Council (ICC) to omit Australian umpire Darrell Hair from next month’s Champions Trophy, an ICC spokesperson said on Tuesday.
”Yes, I can confirm that a letter has been written by the Indian board,” the spokesperson said from the ICC’s Dubai headquarters.
Pakistan have already asked the ICC to drop Hair, a member of the elite umpires panel, from the tournament between October 7 and November 5 after his role in last month’s fourth Test against England at The Oval.
The Pakistan team forfeited the match after refusing to take the field in protest following a decision by Hair and fellow umpire Billy Doctrove to change the ball and penalise them five runs for alleged ball-tampering.
Until now the Indian board has maintained it is the ICC’s prerogative to appoint officials.
”It is up to the ICC to appoint the best umpires and officials, which we will do in due course,” the ICC spokesperson added.
Hair will attend a two-day ICC hearing starting at The Oval on Wednesday to consider charges of ball-tampering and bringing the game into disrepute against Pakistan captain Inzamam ul-Haq. — Reuters