17 Jun 2009

Pakistan says sour grapes in NZ ball tampering complaints

8:03 am on 17 June 2009

The Pakistan cricket captain Younus Khan says ball tampering allegations that have placed his team under additional scrutiny at the Twenty20 world cup in England are embarrassing.

Fast bowler Umar Gul's feat Twenty20 international record of five wickets in Pakistan's comprehensive win over New Zealand at the weekend has been mired in controversy after the Black Caps made an informal complaint regarding the state of the ball.

However, no action was taken after match officials decided there was no foul play.

That didn't stop the umpires making repeated spot checks of the ball in Pakistan's latest win over Ireland with Khan saying it was embarrassing and questioning how they could possibly cheat when their are so many cameras around.

Younus indicated he felt New Zealand's complaint might be a case of sour grapes saying the Black Caps have a good reputation but were obviously upset at being dismissed cheaply.