ICC rebuts reports of Taufel apologising to Akmal

Dubai:

The International Cricket Council on Monday described as "incorrect" media reports about Australian umpire Simon Taufel apologising to Pakistan batsman Umar Akmal for wrongly giving him out during their Champions Trophy semi-final match against New Zealand.

"This report is incorrect. It has no truth," an ICC spokesman said.

The ICC's denial came after a media report quoted sources in the Pakistan team as saying that Taufel has apologised to Akmal after footage replays confirmed that the Australian erred in ruling him in the crucial encounter in Johannesburg.

According to Pakistan team sources, coach Intikhab Alam had a heated argument with umpires -- Taufel and Ian Gould at the hearing, called by match referee Javagal Srinath after the on-field officials reported that Akmal had shown dissent on being given out.

Taufel's apology came after the footage of the match made it clear that Akmal played the Daniel Vettori delivery with his bat, but was given out LBW.