Pakistan board not happy with inconsistent interpretations

In the wake of Shoaib Akhtar's ban for ball-tampering, Rameez Raja, the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) chief executive, has claimed that the interpretation of the laws surrounding the ICC's code of conduct was not being put to use universally, and cited "the recent on-field skirmishes in the West Indies" as an example of what he the ICC's inconsistency.

Speaking at a PCB meeting, Rameez said: "I do not want to defend the acts of Shoaib Akhtar because his action was discouraging to Pakistan cricket, and that too at a time when we are trying to introduce a new culture in the new team. He has been reprimanded and he has shown his remorse."

But while Shoaib was handed a two-match ban and a fine after being caught scratching the ball on television pictures, Rameez argued that match officials should have charged Glenn McGrath and Ramnaresh Sarwan with a similar punishment. The pair clashed in an ugly mid-crease spat in the fourth Test between West Indies and Australia in Antigua, but were not disciplined, even though both ball-tampering and sledging are Level Two offences, according to the ICC code of conduct.

"Both rules are to be interpreted by the match referee," continued Rameez. "In the West Indies recently, it was proved beyond doubt that there was a just and undeniable case of a Level Two offence regarding sledging. Surprisingly, no action was taken either by the umpires or the match referee. If TV is considered a fact-finding mission, then it has to be universally followed as part of the standard playing conditions applicable universally."

Rameez also sought to defend Shoaib's position over the ball-tampering allegation, maintaining Shoaib's action of scratching or cleaning the ball was unfairly interpreted by the match referee as an attempt of changing the ball's condition. "Ball tampering is an offence which invokes certain actions, which are a change of the ball immediately, and five penalty runs to the opponent," he said. "In the case of Shoaib, neither one of these actions were invoked."

Rameez further mentioned that this matter will be discussed at the ICC meetings in London next month.