KARACHI (Reuters)
Former Pakistan captain Javed Miandad has come out in support of the International Cricket Council and embattled match referee Mike Denness.

Miandad, who played 124 Tests, told Reuters that Indian and South African cricket officials had a duty towards the game as mature members of the world cricket fraternity, but their failure had led to an unnecessary crisis.

"I fear for the future of the game. No one is bigger than the game nor is anyone above the law. What happens if a smaller country challenges the authority of the ICC or the match referee tomorrow," he said.

"India could have played the match under protest. They would have still made their point without harming the game and making a mockery of the current (unofficial) Test and the role of a referee," Miandad stated.

The United Cricket Board of South Africa (UCBSA), under pressure from India, defied the ICC and replaced Denness as referee for the third match against India after he handed Sachin Tendulkar a fine and a one-match suspended ban for ball-tampering in the drawn second Test.

The ICC responded by stripping the third game between the two teams of official Test status.

"I have full sympathy for Denness. He was only using his powers and enforcing laws, both of which have been given to him by the ICC and its member nations, including India and South Africa," Miandad said.

"You don't treat a former Test captain this way. The UCBSA had a responsibility for his well-being, but they put other considerations before everything," Miandad added.

Miandad, who is also a former Pakistan coach, said match officials made mistakes but the ICC had several forums where India could have discussed its grievances.

"They can make their point in other ways. Because the ICC still derives its powers from full members, they have to ensure the sanctity of the game," he said.

"Waqar Younis was penalised last year for ball-tampering by John Reid on the basis of television replays. The umpires did not report him. Is he not a big player? "The ICC refused to accept Pakistan's request to change Reid as match referee in a recent test, did Pakistan challenge the ICC authority?" he said.

"India might be a major money market for international cricket, but it does not mean they take the law into their own hands," said Miandad, who also sympathised with Tendulkar for being dragged into an unnecessary crisis.

"Tendulkar is a gentleman and sportsman. There is great regard for him in international cricket. I doubt if he would have liked to see this situation," he said.

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