A Controversial Chapter Of Pakistan Cricket; The First Forfeited Test Of The History

Pakistan team during the forfeited Test in Oval, 2004 [X]

Pakistan cricket had its share of controversy throughout their history in the game. One such incident happened during the final Test of Pakistan tour of England in 2006 at Oval. The matters soared so high that it resulted in the first ever forfeited Test in the history of the game ever. 

Umpires awared England five penalty runs

The incident was seeded in day four of the game in a five run penalty that the umpires awarded to England and changed the ball. The then Pakistan skipper, Inzamam-ul-Haq took it as an allegation on his team for ball tampering. It soon became a matter of national pride for the Asian team and they refused to take the field after tea. 

After a long off the field delibaration, the Pakistan team did decide to come back and play but by then one of the on-field umpires Darrell Hair had taken off the bails and awared the game to the home team. With this Pakistan became the first team in 129 years long history of cricket, to forfeit a Test.

The changing of the result and the U-turn of ICC

Various ICC committees were formed to oversee the matter and it stretched for nearly four long years. In 2008, the ICC decided to change the decision and declared the game as a drawn Test. However, the following year the governing body of cricket had to re-instate the previous result as MCC argued the decision on the grounds that not upholding the laws might set a 'very dangerous' precedent. 

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Interestingly, England had previously accused Pakistan of ball tampering in 1992. This was when the knitts and gritts of reverse swing was still in the cricketing universe.

Here is the link to the ESPNCricinfo scorcard of the game.

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