Inzamam cleared of ball-tampering
Inzamam-ul-Haq has today been cleared of the charge of ball-tampering against him – but found guilty of bringing cricket into disrepute.
An International Cricket Council spokesman announced the outcome of the Pakistan captain’s disciplinary hearing at The Oval, arising from events at the same venue when the fourth Test against England was abandoned last month.
In clearing Inzamam of ball-tampering, ICC chief referee Ranjan Madugalle said in a statement: "On the first charge of ball-tampered under paragraph 2.9 of the ICC Code of Conduct, 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 the fielding team had changed 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 interventions.”
Madugalle said he had take the testimony of the expert witnesses into account when coming to his decision.
The statement added: “I have considered their evidence, honestly and fairly given, very carefully. But my duty is to form and give my own judgment.”
However, Inzamam is to be banned, pending appeal, for four one-day internationals for bringing his sport into disrepute when he led a sit-in protest at The Oval after umpires Darrell Hair and Billy Doctrove penalised Pakistan five runs for ball-tampering.
