Pak media keeps up the pressure

Pakistani anger against Australian cricket umpire Darrell Hair flared for a second day Tuesday, with mass circulation newspapers accusing him of racist behaviour over the ball-tampering row.

In an editorial entitled 8220;It8217;s not cricket,8221; The News said Hair 8220;does not have a very good history with Pakistan or Asian teams in general.8221; It referred to a 1995 controversy in which Hair called Sri Lankan spin bowler Muttiah Muralitharan for chucking 8211; or using an illegal bowling action 8211; seven times in a Melbourne Test match.

Another Pakistani daily, The Dawn, said the ICC had previously ignored requests for Hair not to be appointed to Pakistan8217;s matches because 8220;there is widespread view that Hair is heavily biased8230; against sub-continental teams, particularly Pakistan and Sri Lanka.8221;

The Nation, said the events at The Oval 8220;left none with honour and damaged the game immeasurably,8221; and that ICC should not leave the game 8220;to the whims and biases of mini-Hitlers like Mr Hair.8221;