Pakistan have been told off by the ICC for repeatedly making public comments about the events surrounding the final Test against England.

Malcolm Speed, the International Cricket Council's chief executive, has issued a final warning to the Pakistan team and management to stop issuing comments related to the controversial events.

Pakistan's captain at The Oval, Inzamam-ul-Haq, is still awaiting a date for his disciplinary hearing when he will defend two charges of breaching the code of conduct for his behaviour after his side were accused of ball-tampering on the fourth day of the Test.

"I've been very disappointed by some of the public comments that have been made by members of the Pakistan Cricket Board, team management and captain Inzamam-ul-Haq following the Oval Test," explained Speed.

"Over the course of the last two weeks there has been a stream of unnecessary and inappropriate public comment from the PCB, much of which could be seen as prejudicial to the pending Code of Conduct hearing.

"We have in place a fair and independent process for dealing with the matters that arose out of the Oval Test and all concerned parties will have an opportunity to present their evidence during the hearing later in September.

"Ahead of this hearing it is wholly inappropriate for officials or players to comment on the issues that will be addressed, particularly as the ICC Code of Conduct includes a specific offence of `public criticism of, or inappropriate comment on, a match-related incident or match official'."

Speed confirmed he had already raised the matter with Shaharyar Khan, chairman of the PCB, and has also asked ICC match referee Mike Procter to do likewise with the Pakistan captain and team management.

"The acute international diplomatic and political sensitivity of this issue has persuaded me not to lay a charge to date but despite the exceptional circumstances I will not hesitate to lay a charge should further inappropriate public comments be made ahead of the hearing," warned Speed.

"There will be plenty of opportunity for Pakistan to put its side of the story in the fair environment of the Code of Conduct hearing. That is the appropriate forum for its views on these matters."

Pakistan have already urged the ICC to remove Darrell Hair, who they blame for the ball-tampering row, from any of their future matches while coach Bob Woolmer has called for a change in the law regarding ball-tampering.

(Article: Copyright © 2006 AFP)