Imran, who led Pakistan to the 1992 World Cup, told an Urdu newspaper that the PCB should have gone to court against the International Cricket Council immediately after the controversial fourth Test against England at the Oval.

"Pakistan could have gone to court and asked the ICC to produce evidence of the ball-tampering allegation levelled against our players in the Oval Test. It could have asked the ICC to show the ball in court. This would have also got Hair into trouble," he said.

Pulling up the Board for mishandling the issue, he said, "Shaharyar (PCB Chairman) should have taken a stronger stand on this issue. But the Board didn't deal with the issue properly." Pakistan captain Inzamamul Haq is set to attend a hearing on September 27 and 28 in London to defend himself against charges of violating the ICC Code of Conduct.

Imran said the disciplinary hearing would be difficult for Pakistan because Hair will be on strong ground legally and will have the backing of the ICC.

"Hair can say he took the action of changing the ball and penalising the Pakistan team five runs under ICC laws. And if the ICC takes action against him he can take them to court," Imran said.

Meanwhile, PCB has requested former England opener Geoffery Boycott to back captain Inzamamul Haq at this month's ball-tampering hearing.

The former England opener has been asked by ICC to examine the ball alleged to have been tampered by the Pakistan team during the fourth Test against England at Oval.

Boycott has been requested to stand by Pakistan as cricket authorities of the country respect his knowledge and expertise in the game, the 'Daily Mirror' reported today.

"The former Yorkshire cricketer would argue that Inzamam should be acquitted of the charges of cheating and bringing the game to disrepute," the report said.

The hearing, to be conducted by the International Cricket Council, is scheduled to take place on September 27 and 28.

The row rocked world cricket last month, when Australian umpire Darrell Hair, after consulting with his on-field colleague Billy Doctrove of the West Indies, penalised Pakistan five penalty runs on the charge of ball-tampering.

Protesting the decision, the Pakistani cricketers left the field, which subsequently affected them adversely as the match was forfeited in favour of England.