Inzamam ul-Haq - Reuters

LONDON (Reuters):

PAKISTAN CAPTAIN Inzamam ul-Haq was cleared of ball tampering by the International Cricket Council (ICC) yesterday, but banned for four one-day matches for bringing cricket into disrepute.

The ban follows Pakistan's refusal to take the field after tea on the fourth day of the fourth Test against England at The Oval last month after they had been penalised five runs for alleged ball tampering.

England were awarded the match on a forfeit for the first time in the history of Test cricket.

In a statement at the conclusion of a two-day ICC code of conduct hearing yesterday, match referee Ranjan Madugalle said Inzamam had been found not guilty of ball tampering.

But he said the Pakistan skipper had been found guilty of a level three ICC rule and would be banned for four one-day internationals.

Protest against umpires

"Mr Ul-Haq has been found guilty of deliberately refusing to come on to the field on two occasions as a protest against the umpires, so interrupting play," the statement said.

"I decide Mr Ul-Haq should be banned for four one-day international matches."

A Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) official said that Pakistan were unlikely to appeal the ban.

"It is highly unlikely we will appeal against the ban. We are very satisfied with the way things have gone in the hearing. It was very fair," PCB director Abbas Zaidi said. Another PCB official said that Inzamam, who was named captain for the Champions Trophy, would miss the tournament.

"Pakistan would soon be asking the technical committee of the ICC to allow a replacement," the official said.

"The ICC has already told us we can get a replacement, but through the proper channel," he said.

Khan to lead

Vice-captain, Younis Khan will now lead the team in the Champions Trophy in India.

Pakistan's protest followed a decision by umpires Darrell Hair and Billy Doctrove to change the ball and penalise Pakistan five runs for alleged ball tampering.

Pakistan were particularly incensed at Hair's role at The Oval and their cricket board have asked the ICC to ensure that Hair does not officiate at any more of their matches.

This week the Indian Cricket Board asked the ICC to omit Hair from the panel for next month's Champions Trophy in India.

Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Shaharyar Khan said last month the team had lost confidence in Hair after a long history of acrimony between the Australian and Asian teams.

Days after the match was called off Hair was involved in further controversy when the ICC revealed that he had asked them for US$500,000 in return for retiring from the elite umpires' panel.

Hair and Doctrove were two of the 11 witnesses called to attend the ICC hearing.