Pakistan anger over cricket chaos

The Pakistani team denies tampering with the ball

Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf has given his full support to the Pakistani cricket team.

He called captain Inzamam-ul-Haq to back the team after Pakistan was deemed to have forfeited the match in London on Sunday.

Pakistan initially refused to resume play after the team was accused by umpires of tampering with the ball.

The International Cricket Council has now charged Inzamam-ul-Haq with bringing the game into disrepute.

The ICC, the sport's governing body, has backed the umpires' decision to award England the final test match and has further charged Inzamam-ul-Haq with changing the condition of the ball.

The match descended into chaos halfway through the fourth day, as the game was heading towards an exciting conclusion.

Protests

Mr Hair and fellow umpire Billy Doctrove ruled that Pakistan had tampered with the ball - one of the most serious transgressions in cricket as it can give the bowling side an advantage.

Five penalty runs were awarded to England.

The Pakistani side refused to come out of their dressing room after tea in protest at the umpires' ruling.

When they later came back out, the umpires refused to return to the field of play.

Officials spent several hours trying to find a resolution but the match was eventually awarded to England.

The accusation has provoked widespread anger in Pakistan.

In an interview on Pakistani television, team captain Inzamam-ul-Haq said that he'd spoken to Mr Musharraf on the telephone and that the president had offered his full support for the actions the team had taken at the match.

It was the first time in 129 years, and 1,814 matches, that a Test had been conceded by forfeit.

Mr Hair, a veteran umpire who is known for his no-nonsense style, has long been unpopular with South Asian fans, correspondents say.

In 1995 he accused Sri Lankan bowler Muttiah Muralitharan of using an illegal bowling action.

And last November, the 53-year-old umpire upset Pakistan by ruling that Inzamam-ul-Haq had been run out by a throw from England bowler Stephen Harmison back to the wicket-keeper during the Faisalabad Test, even though the batsman appeared to be taking evasive action.

Before The Oval Test, Pakistan had objected to him standing in the series finale.