Throwing its weight behind embattled Harbhajan Singh on the racial row, the BCCI said it would 'do everything' to see that the ace Indian off-spinner gets justice.
KOLKATA: Throwing its weight behind embattled Harbhajan Singh on the racial row, the BCCI on Friday said it would 'do everything' to see that the ace Indian off-spinner gets justice.
"BCCI has decided to give full support to Harbhajan and provide legal help to fight it out," Pawar said on the sidelines of an International seminar here.
"Three members of the Board -- Arun Jaitley and N Srinivasan, who are noted lawyers, and President-Elect Shashank Manohar will look after the case," he said.
Pawar was, however, evasive on whether India would pull out of the current Australia tour if the verdict of ICC's Appeals Commissioner went against Harbhajan.
"I have not heard anything about that," the incoming ICC President said, adding "I expect the controversy to be resolved as early as possible."
Pawar, however, expressed satisfaction at the way the ICC had dealt with the Harbhajan case and the umpiring controversy as also the attitude of Cricket Australia on these issues.
To a question if he would take up the issues at the ICC's Dubai meet on Monday, he said "the ICC meeting has been called to discuss some other matters and not these ones."
Pawar said he had asked Sachin Tendulkar to report what exactly had happened on the ground on the third day's play of the second India-Australia Test in Sydney.
"Sachin reported there was tension and provocation, but there was no question of racist comment," he said.
"If Sachin or Sourav or Rahul or Anil say anything, I believe it 100 per cent and accept it," the Board president asserted.
Pawar said that charges of racism against Harbhajan were 'not acceptable'.
"BCCI will do everything to fight the case. If necessary, we will also engage other lawyers to fight for Harbhajan Singh," he said.
He said BCCI would expect the hearing to begin before the ODI matches and after the Test series.
"We are confident about justice," he added.
Pawar said that the BCCI had requested the ICC to assess the performance of the umpire in the last two Test matches. "I am happy that the umpire (Steve Bucknor) has been changed."
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