Pakistan skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq's fate on charges of ball tampering and bringing the game into disrepute following the Oval Test fiasco is expected to be known later on Thursday.
LONDON: Pakistan skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq's fate on charges of ball tampering and bringing the game into disrepute following the Oval Test fiasco is expected to be known later on Thursday.
After the first day of ICC Code of Conduct hearing concluded here on Wednesday, International Cricket Council said Chief Referee and adjudicator Ranjan Madugalle might announce his verdict on Thursday.
"It is anticipated the adjudicator will reach his decision at some stage on Thursday," an ICC statement said after the conclusion of first day's hearing.
Although Madugalle has 24 hours to consider the evidence and come out with the much awaited verdict, he is expected to announce his findings after considering closing submissions to be put forward before him on Thursday.
"Evidence has now been completed and the next stage is for closing submissions, to be made by both sets of legal teams when the hearing resumes at (0900 GMT) on Thursday.
"When those submissions are completed the adjudicator, ICC Chief Referee Ranjan Madugalle, will retire to consider his verdict. He has between 30 minutes and 24 hours to reach that verdict," the statement said.
Evidence was heard from 11 witnesses in the closed-door hearing.
The four match officials were up first, and then after lunch the hearing listened to ICC umpires and referees Manager Doug Cowie, PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan, Inzamam, coach Bob Woolmer and finally three expert witnesses called by the defence - Geoffrey Boycott, Simon Hughes and John Hampshire.
If Madugalle finds Inzamam guilty of either or both charges leveled against him Inzamam's legal team will be allowed to make a submission concerning the possible penalties that could be imposed.
"The adjudicator will then consider the matter, announce his decision and then provide written reasons for that decision as soon as possible afterwards," the statement said.
In addition to the witnesses, others present at the hearing included David Pannick QC, one of England's leading sports law advocates, who was advising Madugalle.
The PCB was represented by DLA Piper, led by Mark Gay, while Pushpinder Saini and David Stewart represented the ICC.
"If found guilty of ball-tampering, Inzamam faces a fine of between 50 and 100 per cent of his match fee and could also be banned for one Test or two ODIs.
On the second charge, a ban of between two and four Tests or four to eight ODIs is possible," it said.
The ICC also confirmed that in case Inzamam is banned for ODIs then Pakistan would be allowed to replace him in their Champions Trophy squad.
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