http://www.paknews.com/sports.php?id=1&date1=2001-11-30
Pakistan should not support India in Denness controversy
Updated on 2001-11-30 11:05:53
ISLAMABAD, November 30 (PNS): Cricket circles not only in Rawalpindi and Islamabad but leading former cricketers from other major cities have demanded of the Pakistan Cricket Board no to support India in match referee Mike Denness controversy.
Sarfraz Nawaz, a former Pakistan Test fast bowler and popularly known as Melbourne hero reiterated his support to ICC against India and South Africa who removed former England captain Mike Denness as match referee for the third Test between India and South Africa after the match referee had disciplinary action in the second Test between the two countries,
The said decision of South African and Indian Cricket Boards was a clear violation of the code of conduct of ICC and the two parts are definitely liable to disciplinary action, Sarfraz Nawaz said while talking to the PNS.
The former fast bowler said it was matter of principle as match referees and umpires are the nominees of the ICC and as such India and disowning referees and umpires by any country or a team also a violation of the code of conduct of ICC.
ICC has all the right to take action against a defaulting country. Pakistan may support India in other cricketing matters but supporting India in this violation is not fair.
No player is above the rules of the game and if India’s Tendulkar has guilty of ball tampering he must be punished according to law.
Hanif Mohammad and Tahir Shah, former first class cricketers from Lahore, have also expressed similar views and supported ICC stance in this controversy