Inzamam Did the Right Thing

The News, August 22, 2006
Inzamam challenges Hair to provide tampering proof


LONDON: Inzamam-ul-Haq on Monday challenged the Australian umpire Darrell Hair to prove that his team had tampered with the ball on the fourth day of the final Test at The Oval.

Stressing that his players were “100 percent innocent” of any wrongdoing, the Pakistan captain said the tourists were ready for a trial-by-television to clear themselves of ball tampering allegations.

“We have done nothing wrong and ready to use any means to clear our names,” said Inzamam as the controversy raged in the world of cricket following the umpires’ decision to forfeit the Test following a deadlock with the Pakistan team.

Inzamam said that he decided against coming out on the field after tea on Sunday in a bid to defend his nation’s honour. “It was our pride and honour that was at stake. On such times nothing is more important than defending your honour,” said Inzamam.

He was dismayed over Hair’s refusal to tell him the reason behind penalizing Pakistan and changing the ball. “His allegation is mean since he is not saying what his allegation is. He is just saying that you guys are cheats,” he remarked.

Inzamam said it was hard to imagine that the “26 cameras” covering the action were unable to show any proof of ball tampering. “I would say that the referees should use video footage and take a decision on this issue on the basis of it,” he said.

Nasser Hussain dismayed by The Oval controversy, supports Inzamam
By Khalid Hussain
LONDON: Former England captain Nasser Hussain has backed Inzamam-ul-Haq on his decision to protest against ball tampering accusations saying he would have done the same if he were in Inzi’s shoes.

“If I had been captain and my team had been accused of cheating in this way then, as long as I was sure of our innocence, I would have done exactly the same thing as Pakistan. I wouldn’t have come out after tea, either,” felt Hussain.