William Gray: Megaphones out of order (16 September 1997)
WASIM Akram, the Pakistan captain laid low by injury, has called for a ban on the use of megaphones by spectators at matches following an incident here at the weekend resulting in a Pakistani player being banned for two matches
16-Sep-1997
Tuesday 16 September 1997
Megaphones out of order
By William Gray in Toronto
WASIM Akram, the Pakistan captain laid low by injury, has called
for a ban on the use of megaphones by spectators at matches
following an incident here at the weekend resulting in a Pakistani player being banned for two matches.
Inzamam-Ul-Haq, who was fielding on the boundary in the second of
five Sahara Cup one-day games against India, leapt over an advertising hoarding and charged into the stands with a bat to
confront a heckler.
Wasim, not playing in the series due to a long-term shoulder
problem, was working as a television commentator at the match
and said he spoke with Inzamam after he was escorted from the
crowd.
Akram said Inzamam told him a fan with a megaphone had been
taunting him all afternoon. "He said he had had enough," Akram
said. "Now we know one thing for sure, megaphones should be
banned. You can have a go at the player but not at their family
or background."
Meanwhile, Jackie Hendriks, the International Cricket Council
referee, issued the ban which will allow Inzamam to play in the
final match next Sunday -assuming the series is still alive with
India 2-0 up. "That is conduct unbecoming an international
cricket player and brought the game into disrepute," Hendricks
said.
Inzamam, a batsman, has played for Pakistan in one-day internationals since 1991. He made 10 before being caught behind in
Sunday`s match, which India won by seven wickets.
Pakistan and India matches in the past have been plagued by
troubles and the idea of playing the series in Toronto was to
provide a neutral safe haven.
In the meantime, there is better news on Wasim after the recent operation on his bowling shoulder. He is now in light training and expects to be fully fit again by early next month and
says he is looking forward to leading Pakistan and playing again
for Lancashire next season.
Adam Hollioake is out of Surrey`s championship decider
against Kent starting at Canterbury on Thursday. The all-rounder
is suffering from a hamstring strain.
James Bovill, 26, the Hampshire fast bowler plagued by back problems, has not had his contract renewed by the county.
Source :: The Electronic Telegraph (https://www.telegraph.co.uk/)