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Inzamam "shocked and disgusted" at nemesis Hair's return

19/03/2008

Former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq says he is "shocked and disgusted" at Darrell Hair's reinstatement as a Test umpire.

Hair was recalled to the International Cricket Council's panel of elite umpires yesterday after a six-month rehabilitation period.

Inzamam and the Australian umpire were at the centre of the infamous forfeited Test between Pakistan and England at the Oval in November 2006.

Pakistan's players refused to return to the field after tea when they were penalised five runs for ball tampering, with Hair and fellow umpire Billy Doctrove awarding the match to the hosts.

Inzamam subsequently declared he would never allow his team to play in a match officiated by Hair, while the umpire himself launched a short-lived discrimination claim against the Pakistan captain.

Speaking from India, where he is playing in the Indian Cricket League, Inzamam, 38, expressed his shock at Hair's return.

"I would blame the Pakistan Cricket Board for bowing down in Hair's case and no player will now stand against injustices at international level," he said.

"Hair was at fault but he is reinstated like a hero."

Since being dropped by the ICC Hair has been umpiring in one-day internationals involving non-Test countries.