Pakistan threatens to boycott match

NEW DELHI, JULY 10. Reacting sharply to the match referee's decision to suspend paceman Waqar Younis for ball-tampering, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has threatened to pull out of Wednesday's Tri-series match against South Africa if John Reid continued to remain in the job.

PCB accused Reid of being ``biased'' against Pakistan and said it would despatch a strong protest letter to the International Cricket Council (ICC) enlisting its grievances against the veteran match referee, reports website Narad Online.

``I don't think this man (Reid) is fair. And we have conveyed our feelings to the ICC, we are even considering not playing against South Africa on Wednesday if he continues to remain match referee,'' PCB chairman Tauqir Zia was quoted as saying.

Latif defends Reid

Meanwhile, in Karachi, former Pakistani captain Rashid Latif defended the action against Younis and rejected allegations against the referee.

``I believe in fair play and action must be taken against those cricketers who use foul tactics whether it is Waqar or any other bowler around the world,'' Latif said.

``I am not against Waqar or Wasim Akram but I know much more about ball tampering,'' he said. He refused to give details saying ``for Pakistan's sake I don't want to add much.''

- PTI

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Section  : Sport
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