Darrell Hair not to stand in Asia Cup 2008

Karachi: Controversial umpire Darrell Hair will not stand in the six-nation Asia Cup as the reinstated Australian was not accepted by the participating nations, revealed Asian Cricket Council chief executive Ashraful Huq.

"The ICC have decided on the names of the umpires and referees for the Asia Cup but Hair is not there. We had to take umpires who were accepted by all the participating teams," said Huq without elaborating.

Pakistan hosts the event from June 24 to July 6. Defending champions Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, United Arab Emirates and Hong Kong will participate in the event. This will be the first time that Pakistan will stage the event.

Hair, the centralfigure in the Oval fiasco of 2006, was reinstated despite his disliking by the Asian countries. But Hair's absence from the Asia Cup reiterates the silent deal between the ICC and the Asian countries that the controversial umpire will not officiate in Pakistan, and matches involving Pakistan.

Hair, who has showed resolve to change his attitude, penalised Pakistan five runs for alleged ball-tampering during the Oval Test in August 2006. So incensed with the allegation that the then Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq refused to take the field after the tea interval on the fourth day. Inzamam's point of view was that Hair did not inform the Pakistan team of his decision of five penalty runs.

Hair and his fellow umpire Billy Doctrove of the West Indies awarded the match to England on forfeit – the first decision of this kind in the history of Test cricket. Later an ICC inquiry cleared Inzamam of tampering but banned him for four ODIs on charges of disrespecting the game. Hair was later expelled from the elite panel.

Huq said Pakistan was given the go ahead for the Asia Cup. "Pakistan Cricket Board officials gave a detailed briefing about the security arrangements for the Asia Cup and everything is in order and the ACC Board was satisfied," said Huq.

The ACC official also revealed that an award ceremony will be held in Karachi to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Asian body. "We will give awards to the past and present day cricketers and administrators."

PTI