West Indies Cricket Fans

Former Umpire Hair Terms Pakistan Players 'Cheats, Frauds and Liars'

The controversial former Australian Test umpire Darrell Hair termed the Pakistan cricketers as ''cheats, frauds and liars'' and criticised the International Cricket Council (ICC), the world governing body, for refusing to act despite apparent evidence that Shoaib Akhtar tampered with the ball, during the ODI against England at the Rose Bowl, last Wednesday.

The Australian's career was ruined by his stance in the controversial Oval Test in August 2006 during Pakistan's last tour of England, when a Test match was forfeited for the first time, following accusations that Inzamam ul-Haq's team had tampered with the ball.

Hair retired in 2008 because of the fall-out from the incident.

Hair said of the tour: "The fans, viewers and crowds have been watching cheats and liars. How long will they continue to part with their money to watch manipulated matches and players cheating? The ICC should be ashamed to allow these matches to take place."

Shoaib was apparently caught on camera interfering with the ball and Hair said: "Regardless of irrefutable evidence of ball tampering the ICC still choose not to take action, which is unsurprising given their record and inability to control their own game. 'The game must always go on' seems to be their motto.

"Unfortunately the Pakistan cricketers show no respect for the game and continually attempt to cheat. The game as currently being played by Pakistan is a hoax and a fraud to the public."