Pakistan might win a draw

The result of the controversial 2006 Oval Test between England and Pakistan could be changed to a draw.

The umpires Darrell Hair, centre, and Billy Doctrove, left, felt the ball was tampered with, which led to the angry Pakistan skipper Inzamam -ul-Haq refusing to take the field in the next session.

DUBAI // The result of the controversial 2006 Oval Test between England and Pakistan, in which the tourists made unwanted history by forfeiting the match to give the home side victory, could be changed to a draw following discussions at the annual ICC meeting in Dubai.
Following pressure from the Pakistan Cricket Board, the other member countries are believed to have put together an agreement in principle to the new verdict. The Test was originally awarded to England by the umpire Darrell Hair after Pakistan refused to come out on the field after tea on the fourth day following accusations of ball tampering. Much of yesterday morning's meeting was taken up with the discussions and an official close to the proceedings confirmed to the cricinfo website that the decision had been overturned and that a draw was the likely result. An ICC spokesman, however, could not confirm this was the case.
England already has an unassailable 2-0 lead going into the series following wins at Headingley and Old Trafford. However, Pakistan were looking to finish on a strong note and had a first innings lead of 331 and had England at 298 for four. Midway through the afternoon session Hair, after consulation with the fellow umpire Billy Doctrove, awarded five runs to England after deciding the ball had been tampered with.
After the forfeiture, Hair went on to be suspended from the elite panel, and though that decision was overturned last year when he took his employers to the court, the initial decision formed the basis of Pakistan's appeal for a rethink of the result. Meanwhile, the West Indies' selectors have named three newcomers as they try to avoid a series sweep against Australia in the their one-day internationals. The final two games in the five match series are today and on Sunday at Warner Park.
The fast bowler Kemar Roach, whose deliveries have constantly been around 90mph, replaces the injured Jerome Taylor. Jamaicans Nikita Miller, a left-arm spinner, and Shawn Findlay, a left-handed batsman, have also been named for the first time.
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