Delayed hearing leaves Pakistan camp fuming

Flashpoint at Lahore: Andrew Hall and Yousuf Youhana face off © Wisden Cricinfo

The decision by Clive Lloyd, the referee for the one-day series between Pakistan and South Africa, to delay the ICC Code of Conduct hearing of Graeme Smith, Andrew Hall and Yousuf Youhana until after today's 4th ODI has left the Pakistan authorities livid.

The trio were summoned following a mid-pitch confrontation between Hall and Youhana during last Sunday's ODI at Lahore, and if found guilty they face possible fines and/or suspensions.

Officially, the Pakistan Cricket Board refused to be drawn into the increasingly acrimonious debate over the timing of the hearing, preferring a restrained silence which it explained was "in the better interest of the game and the series".

However, off the record one team official, who only spoke on the grounds that his identity wasn't revealed, was more forthcoming. "Had the hearing taken place prior to the start of the fourth match, possibly the South African team might have lost their captain and Hall," he said. "But the hearing was delayed which allowed the tourists to field their best team for this crucial game."

It is reported that the South Africans had initially agreed to hand over the match video-tapes to the Lloyd so that the hearing could taken place on Thursday at 8.30pm, but he was later informed that the tapes were not available. Furthermore, Ten Sports - the broadcasters of the series - had tapes but they were allegedly told by South African management that they would deliver them to the Lloyd. As a result of the delays, Lloyd decided that he didn't have enough time to act before today's game.

The hearing will be held tonight and any sanctions will apply for the series decider at Rawalpindi on Sunday.