Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq Thursday said he was unlikely to appeal against a four-match ban for bringing the game into disrepute, effectively ruling him out of next month's Champions Trophy.

But the master batsman said his young team had been vindicated after the International Cricket Council (ICC) cleared him of ball tampering following a two-day hearing in London and thanked Pakistani fans for praying for him.

"Since this is the minimum possible suspension I don't think we would appeal," Inzamam told private GEO television after he received a ban of four one-day internationals from the ICC.

"And since the next four matches start with the ICC Champions Trophy next month, I won't be able to play the tournament."

Inzamam faced the charges following Pakistan's refusal to return to the field on the fourth day of the fourth Test against England at The Oval last month, which led to them forfeiting the game.

They protested after umpires Darrell Hair and Billy Doctrove decided to penalise them five runs for alleged ball-tampering.

"It was a matter of the team's reputation and ball-tampering allegations meant that we cheated during the Test match," Inzamam said.

"We have built a reputation for this young team in the last four years and what happened at the Oval was an attempt to spoil it.

"Everyone in Pakistan welcomed my decision to protest and I think they would have prayed for my team and for myself. That is why we have been acquitted of ball-tampering charges."

Former cricket legends Imran Khan and Ramiz Raja have both welcomed the decision to clear Inzamam of the tampering charge, adding that Australian Hair should also face action.

(Article: Copyright © 2006 AFP)