A DECISION on the fate of Inzamam-ul-Haq in the Oval Test match ball-tampering saga will come this afternoon, a day earlier than expected, the ICC revealed yesterday.

All the evidence on the two separate charges against Inzamam, the Pakistan captain, of changing the condition of the ball and bringing the game into disrepute, was heard yesterday.

There will be submissions this morning and a verdict in the afternoon, David Pannick, QC, who was leading proceedings at the Brit Oval alongside Ranjan Madugalle, the ICC’s chief referee, said.

There should also be a chance for the public to view the now infamous ball from the first forfeited Test in history. It has been locked in the London safe of Olswang, the ICC’s lawyers. “I hope photographs of the ball will be released, but we will have to wait to see if Pakistan appeal,” a spokesman said. They have 24 hours after the judgment to decide whether to challenge the verdict. The ICC said that the ball had not been subjected to forensic investigation.

An appeal would be concluded by the start of the Champions Trophy in India on October 7, the ICC said, but Pakistan would be able to replace Inzamam, who has been named as captain. He faces a maximum ban of five Test matches or ten one-day internationals.

With so many lawyers in the room, the ball-tampering allegations that, if proved, would lead to only a fine or a ban of one Test match or two one-day internationals, are likely to be thrown out.

There would seem to be a lack of the evidence required in a court, if not by ICC rules. If the verdict goes against them, Pakistan are likely to appeal or take Darrell Hair, the umpire, or the ICC to court.

But they may yet be celebrating with President Musharraf, of Pakistan, who arrives in London tomorrow to meet Tony Blair, at a function in Park Lane.

This code of conduct hearing has already cost the ICC hundreds of thousands of pounds, but no one could accuse the governing body of largesse. Yesterday Billy Doctrove, the second umpire at the Oval on August 20, Mike Procter, the match referee, and Doug Cowie, the ICC umpires and referees manager, arrived in the same taxi. Then at the ground, everyone had to squeeze together as the ICC had found the smallest room available.

There was some confusion and a touch of pantomime among the television crews thronging to see cricket on trial at the start of the day. “Is that Madugalle?” “Madugalle, who?” The man thought to be Madugalle looked genuinely surprised at all the attention and flashing cameras when he arrived at 8.30am — not surprising as he was, in fact, the man from the caterers. The real Madugalle arrived, unheralded, 35 minutes later.

Five minutes later, a roar of “He’s behind you” went up and Hair appeared outside the Alec Stewart Gate. He was supposed to have been in the car that had just arrived, but Inzamam and Bob Woolmer, the Pakistan coach, emerged and then Hair strode in confidently 30 seconds behind.

A source inside the room, the bar area of the Legends Lounge of the OCS Stand, said it was hot, too, as if Hair and Inzamam, two not inconsiderably-sized men, were not under enough pressure.

Inzamam was one of the last to enter and studiously avoided eye contact with Hair.

Mark Gay, the solicitor representing Pakistan, walked in at 9.15am. “Is it going to be a tough day, Mark?” he was asked. “Yes,” he said. “Are you confident of getting your man off?” “I am looking forward to it,” Gay said.