ICC President announces Executive Board meeting cancelled

International Cricket Council (ICC) President Percy Sonn today announced the ICC Executive Board meeting called for Saturday in Dubai has been cancelled.

Mr Sonn said: "Last week I felt it necessary to call a meeting of the Board of Directors to brief them on the end to the Test match at The Brit Oval and subsequent events. That meeting was due to take place this coming Saturday.

"However, having had the chance to contact the directors and seeing they have an understanding of the situation I have decided this course of action is not necessary so I have decided to cancel the meeting.

"I sent each Director a note last Friday and will telephone each of them over the next couple of days to further explain what has happened over the past week and ensure they understand the process from here onwards.

"There has been much speculation over the past few days about whether the Executive Board has the power to overturn a properly laid charge by the umpires.

"That speculation would only be bound to intensify ahead of the weekend and so by canceling the meeting it will allow everyone to get off that particular topic and focus on the cricket to be played this week instead.

"The original intention was to seek legal advice concerning the Executive Board's powers but I do not believe it is necessary to obtain that advice. We have processes in place to deal with Code of Conduct matters and we should not seek to interfere with it.

Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Shaharyar Khan said: "We understand the need for the hearing to go ahead for the reasons explained by the ICC President Mr Sonn.

"In the meantime, we are delighted at the chance to get back to playing cricket, starting with this afternoon's NatWest Twenty20 international against England and with five one-day internationals to follow."

The date for the hearing will be confirmed in due course but it is likely to be in the second half of September.