PCB may announce late replacement for Inzamam in Champions Trophy

Lahore, Sep 5 (UNI) With Inzamam-ul Haq's participation in Champions Trophy becoming increasingly doubtful due to the impending ICC inquiry, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) may announce a last minute replacement for the regular captain if he is found guilty of ball tampering and other charges laid against him.

Inzamam is facing an ICC inquiry for alleged ball-tampering and for bringing the game into disrepute during the forfeited Oval Test against England, in which his side refused to take to the field after being accused of handling the ball by umpire Darrell Hair.

The PCB asserted that if the Multan player was not cleared of the charges then they would not be left with any choice but to announce a late replacement for him for the ICC event to be held in October-November in India despite the fact that the governing body has set September 7 as the last date to announce the finals squads for the tournament.

''Participating Nations Agreement (PNA) of the ICC, a change of player is allowed for reasons other than injury in exceptional cases and Inzamam's case is indeed an exceptional one,'' PCB Director Operations Saleem Altaf told the 'Dawn'.

''That is why the PCB is not worried over this issue,'' he added.

Pakistan will announce its team for the Champions Trophy on September 7 and will include Inzamam in it but if the regular skipper is indicted of the ball-tampering and other charges then the PCB will seek to replace him at the last moment.

Inzamam faces a ban of four Test matches or eight ODIs if found guilty of the charges and the beleagured Pakistan captain will be hoping that if punished, he would be banned for the longer version of the game which would allow him to participate in the mini-World Cup.

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