Pak team was willing to play, says PCB chief by CricketArchive Staff Reporter

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Event:

Pakistan in British Isles 2006

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DateLine: 21st August 2006

 

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Shaharyar Khan said Sunday that his team was willing to resume the chaos-hit fourth Test at The Oval despite being accused of ball-tampering.

 

Pakistan had originally refused to take the field after the tea-break on the fourth day against England in protest at being docked five runs after Umar Gul had bowled the 56th over.

 

It was Gul's 14th over with England 230 for three when the umpires Darell Hair and Billy Doctrove inspected the match ball and Hair signaled the penalty to the scorers claiming the condition of the match ball had been altered unfairly.

 

After eventually being persuaded to return, Hair then staged his own protest and refused to stand.

 

"We have indicated clearly that we were willing to go out and that we want the match to continue," said Khan. "We are ready to play but I understand the umpires are not ready. The team were deeply upset at the implication they had been cheating. They wanted to protest by just waiting a few minutes and then come out to play."