On this day, 20 August 2006, for the first time in history, Tests were forfeited as Inzamam-ul-Haq-led Pakistan were accused of ball-tampering during the fourth and final competition of the tour of England. Which was played at the Oval.
Hosts England were leading 2–0 in the four-match series after the first match ended in a draw, however, Pakistan dominated the final Test until the spectators were accused of changing the position of the ball. The game was in his hands.
This is not the first time that Pakistan has been embroiled in such controversy. In the 1992 series, England accused Pakistan of ball tampering, however, no action was taken at that time due to unclear evidence.
However, in the 2006 series, umpires Darrell Heyer and Billy Doctrove inspected the condition of the ball and, without warning, awarded five penalty runs to England. England were allowed to change the ball, indicating that Pakistan had duke ball changed and tampered.
Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq won the toss and opted to bowl in the final Test at the Kennington Oval in London. The guests were on song as Umar Gul (4/46) and Mohammad Asif (4/56) acted with the ball as the hosts were bowled out for 173 in 53.2 overs.
During their innings, Pakistan appeared more aggressive with the bat with Mohammad Yousuf’s century (128) as they were all out after a massive 504-run lead.
England were patient in the second innings. On reaching the lead in the 56th over, umpires Heyer and Doctrove inspected the ball and asked for a change.
The umpires signaled five penalty runs to England, surprise Pakistan and the crowd to award. The match went on as normal till the tea break.
Although the England batsmen made their way to the middle after the tea break of 20 minutes, the Pakistani players were nowhere to be found.
20 minutes passed, Pakistani players still not seen.
Umpires Hare and Doctrove went to the Pakistan dressing room to chat with their captain, Inzamam. However, in a surprising turn of events, both officials returned to pick only bails and wickets, awarding the match to England.
The spectators and the spectators were all amazed and stunned.
An hour later the Pakistan players returned to the field and decided to convince the umpires, however, Hare and Doctrove did not agree and stood by their decision. England were awarded the victory and thus won the series 3–0.
Following the controversy, the ICC dropped the ball-tampering allegations against Pakistan as there was no clear evidence.
However, captain Inzamam was banned from the ODI series against England after he refused to take the field again after the tea-break.
Heyer was removed from international duty as an umpire, along with officials, but threatened to sue the ICC and the Pakistan Cricket Board, alleging racial discrimination.
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