One day series given green light
Inzamam Ul-Haq's case will now be heard by the ICC in September
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The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is making plans to assemble a World XI to contest Monday's Twenty20 international and the following one-day series should Pakistan decide to withdraw. |  |
Friday, 25, Aug 2006 10:09
England's one day series against Pakistan will go ahead after the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced captain Inzamam Ul-Haq's conduct charge will not take place until mid-September.
Duncan Fletcher's side will host the Twenty20 match on Bank holiday Monday at Bristol followed by five ODIs.
The tourist's skipper faces a lengthy ban if found guilty of ball tampering and bringing the game into disrepute following last weekend's extraordinary fourth Test which was abandoned.
ICC match referee Ranjan Madugalle had been due to hear the case on Friday but cannot attend because of a family illness.
Percy Sonn, the ICC's president, told a press conference at Lords that he had been given assurances by both sides that the series will take place despite the controversies.
"The PCB have always said they were going to continue with the series if they could have," he said.
"Ever since last Sunday this matter has been marked by unfortunate and entirely avoidable over-reactions. Everyone must try to switch attentions to on-field action once more."
"I have had a meeting with PCB chairman Shahriyar Khan and ECB chairman David Morgan and I have been assured the tour continues as scheduled. I have no reason not to take him [Khan] at his word."
The ECB had planned to host a series against a World XI if Pakistan had refused to play with a cancelled series costing the cricket board £10 million.
South Africa and the West Indies had both snubbed replacing Pakistan as opponents earlier this week due to their packed schedules in preparation for next year's World Cup.