Joint ECB-ICC-PCB statement on fourth Test match forfeit by AFP

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Ground:	Kennington Oval, Kennington
Scorecard:	England v Pakistan
Event:	Pakistan in British Isles 2006

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DateLine: 21st August 2006

 

This is the full statement issued on behalf of the International Cricket Council, England and Wales Cricket Board and the Pakistan Cricket Board explaining the forfeit of the final Test by Pakistan at The Oval on Sunday:

 

"After lengthy negotiations which resulted in agreement between the teams, the ICC match referee and both ECB and PCB to seek to resume the fourth Test match on Monday, it was concluded with regret that there will be no play on the fifth day.

 

"The fourth Test match between England and Pakistan has therefore been forfeited with the match being awarded to England.

 

"In accordance with the laws of cricket it was noted that the umpires had correctly deemed that Pakistan had forfeited the match and awarded the Test to England.

 

"At a meeting between the captains, ECB, PCB and match referee, the players, ICC match referee and boards indicated that they would offer to resume play if at all possible on day five.

 

"The umpires having awarded the match to England and having consulted with the Pakistan captain reconfirmed their decision to award the match to England.

 

"The Pakistan team was aggrieved by the award of five penalty runs to England. The award of those penalty runs for alleged interference with the ball is under review by the ICC match referee Mike Procter, whose report will be considered in due course.

 

"ICC will be issuing a separate report concerning action which may be taken in relation to the forfeiture of the match by Pakistan."

(Article: Copyright © 2006 AFP)