Matthew Hayden expresses sympathy with Pakistan’s plight

Former Test opener Matthew Hayden has sympathised with Pakistan's plight, and cautioned against racing to a damning immediate judgment.

"I believe it is a shock to cricket and if I can talk on behalf of Australian cricket and the playing group, it's just not even in our DNA to accept any kind of skulduggery when it comes to the game of cricket," the Sydney Morning Herald quoted Hayden, as saying.

"We love our country and we love being a part of (cricket) ... it's not even an option for us. It's just so disappointing and devastating for us as players to understand that even potentially can happen. But you have to have an understanding of the cultures that exist," he added.

"You have a look at Pakistan which has been wiped out by the recent floods and you put yourself in the position that maybe you can try and get what's left of your family and salvage the situation. It puts cricket into perspective,” he said.

"We wouldn't ever dare get involved in corruption but that's in our country," Hayden said.

Former Test captain Greg Chappell, who was offered the job of coaching Pakistan last year, said Pakistan should be thrown out of world cricket if there's evidence of board involvement.

"I think we've got to find out who's involved. If the administration is involved I don't think that they should be a part of it," Chappell said.