Sydney, Oct. 2: Richie Benaud says last week’s International Cricket Council hearing into ball tampering arising from last month’s forfeited fourth Test between England and Pakistan has hurt world cricket. The respected former Australian captain and cricket commentator said the ICC hearing was "crass and unbecoming" and he criticised Pakistan’s decision to refuse to re-enter the field instead of accepting the umpire’s ruling at The Oval.

Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul Haq was cleared of ball-tampering but found guilty by the ICC of bringing the game into disrepute over his side’s refusal to play.

Inzamam was banned for four one-day internationals.

Benaud said he was angry about the sentence imposed on Inzamam. "Why didn’t he get a Test ban?" Benaud told Sydney’s Daily Telegraph on Monday. "His proven offence was committed in a Test. "Instead, he got the minimum one-day ban of four matches when the minimum Test ban was 10 days of cricket."