Pakistani students torch photos of umpire Hair by AFP

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Ground:	Kennington Oval, Kennington
Player:	Inzamam-ul-Haq, DB Hair
Event:	Pakistan in British Isles 2006

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DateLine: 21st August 2006

 

Dozens of Pakistani students Monday burned pictures of Australian umpire Darrell Hair as anger grew at the ball-tampering row that wrecked the fourth Test against England.

 

Around 50 teenagers from local schools gathered at a cricket ground in the capital Islamabad chanting "We want justice from ICC (International Cricket Council)" and "Shame, shame", an AFP photographer said.

 

Some carried placards with the slogan "Darrell Hair is Mini-Hitler", apparently quoting comments made in a newspaper on Monday by former Pakistani cricket legend Imran Khan.

 

Wearing cricket whites and caps, they torched two newspaper pictures of Hair -- who penalised Pakistan five runs over the tampering allegations and then replaced the ball.

 

"The students wanted to express their sentiments against Hair's decision," Islamabad Cricket Association President Shakil Sheikh told AFP.

 

"Hair took the decision in a hasty manner. He ignored the process of consultation and took the bails off within minutes."

 

Newspapers and former players in this cricket-loving country have slammed Hair's decision, which prompted Pakistan to refuse to return to the pitch after tea.

 

After five hours of talks on Sunday night Pakistan were deemed to have forfeited the game, handing England a 3-0 victory in the four match series.

 

Pakistan capitan Inzamam-ul-Haq has defended his team's decision to protest, telling a local television station that his country's pride was at stake and saying Pakistan did not want to play in any more matches with Hair.

(Article: Copyright © 2006 AFP)