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    KARACHI, Pakistan -- Pakistan are proposing to play a one-day international in England next year to make up for revenue lost by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) during the Oval test in August. A Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) official said discussions had been held with the ECB in India recently on finding a solution to the compensation claim for the test that was awarded to England as a forfeited match. England have demanded compensation of more than 800,000 pounds ($1.527 million) from Pakistan for lost revenue after the Oval test ended at tea on the fourth day following a protest by the Pakistan team. The Pakistanis had been angered by a decision by umpires Darrell Hair and Billy Doctrove to change the ball and penalize them five runs for alleged ball tampering. The stand-off ended when the umpires awarded the game to England on the ground that since the Pakistanis did not come onto the field, they had forfeited the match. It was the first forfeited result in test history. Pakistan have refused to pay the compensation on the grounds that Hair was responsible for the stand-off and that a forfeiture is considered a result. England has yet to file an official complaint with the disputes resolution committee of the International Cricket Council (ICC) over the claim, the PCB official who declined to be named said on Wednesday. "We have told (ECB chairman) David Morgan that we are willing to play a one-dayer next summer in England and revenues earned from that game after deducting expenses can be taken as compensation," the official said. Since the Oval test, the ICC has cleared Pakistan of the ball tampering charges but banned captain Inzamam-ul-Haq for four matches for bringing the game into disrepute. Last week at the executive board meeting of the ICC in Mumbai, the Pakistanis were successful in lobbying against Hair and getting him removed from the elite panel of umpires after filing an official complaint against him for violating the umpires' code of conduct. The spokesman said Pakistan would be in England next summer to play a one-day game against India, for the Prince Charles Trust on July 12, and could play England as well. "The match can be played as part of the 60th anniversary celebrations of Pakistan cricket," the official stated. He said Pakistan was hopeful the proposal would be accepted as Pakistan and England enjoyed very good cricket relations. "We want a settlement despite the fact that Hair's removal has vindicated our stand," the official stated. Ponting apologeticAustralia captain Ricky Ponting says his team did not intend to appear disrespectful to India's top cricket official during the Champions Trophy presentation. The Australians were criticized by Indian newspapers after claims Damien Martyn pushed Indian cricket chief Sharad Pawar in the back to get him off the podium while they were celebrating their win. Ponting was also criticised for appearing to gesture to Pawar to hand over the trophy and move off the stage during the long and drawn-out ceremony. Ponting said his team had never intended to offend Pawar but added that he planned to speak to him to clear up any misunderstanding and offer an apology. "I'll be doing the best I can to get to the concerned people in India to get my point across and let them know we weren't trying to embarrass them," Ponting told a news conference on Wednesday. "Hopefully, we haven't offended him too much and we've got to be aware of those sort of things in the future. We've got to show the due respect to everyone that's around us -- that's part of representing your country." Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland said he was satisfied the players had not meant to offend Pawar but was disappointed at the way the team had been portrayed in the Indian media. "It is really disappointing because I know our players have the utmost respect for India," he said. Indian cricket board secretary Niranjan Shah said they considered the affair closed. "We did not make an issue out of it from the start," he said. "Now that Ricky Ponting is willing to tender an apology, the matter is closed." |
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Umpires Hair (left) and Doctrove awarded the game to England when Pakistan refused to come out after tea on the fourth day.
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