Latif Not Guilty of Racist Abuse

Pakistan's Rashid Latif was cleared at a disciplinary hearing of racially abusing Australian wicketkeeper Andy Gilchrist during yesterday's World Cup game.

The Australians reported Latif, Pakistan's wicketkeeper, after he was alleged to have turned to Gilchrist during the Pakistan innings and uttered an obscene racial remark at the Wanderers' stadium in Johannesburg.

Gilchrist reported the incident to the Australian team management who passed it on to match referee Clive Lloyd. An International Cricket Council disciplinary hearing took place at a hotel in downtown Johannesburg and Lloyd announced the verdict to reporters.

"There was not sufficient evidence to prove the allegations. Accordingly Rashid Latif is exonerated of the charge," the former West Indies captain said.

As the Pakistan delegation left the room where the hearing had been taking place, Latif raised two "V for victory signs" with his fingers and team manager Shaharyar Khan said he had been cleared.

"Rashid Latif has been completely cleared from any wrongdoing he was charged with. He has said he has the highest regard for Adam Gilchrist as a person," Khan said.

Latif did not make a statement but held up a piece of paper which said: "I'm not that type of person."

There was clearly a dispute about what was said and Gilchrist said he was satisfied that Latif had been cleared.

"I was more than confident of the full process of the ICC and I am satisfied with the conclusion," the Australian wicketkeeper said. "I was offended at the time but the ICC process has been fully followed.

"Latif has not apologized but we have shaken hands. We have a fantastic players' relationship and a great friendship on and off the field and I don't want this to affect our relationship in the future."

Latif was charged under the ICC's Code of Conduct under the heading racial vilification. It was the same charge that Darren Lehmann faced last month.

Lehmann was banned for five games after uttering a racially abusive remark after he had been given out in Australia's one-day victory over Sri Lanka at Brisbane. Coincidentally, he was forced to miss the game against Pakistan as the fifth match of his suspension.

Australia's 82-run victory was marred by another onfield clash in a matchup that has a colorful past.

Pakistan captain Waqar Younis was suspended from bowling near the end after bowing two beamers - head high deliveries that don't bounce - at tailender Jason Gillespie and century maker Andrew Symonds.

The game was in Australia's next to last over and umpire David Shepherd walked over to Younis in a finger-wagging confrontation and suspended him from bowling his last three deliveries. The over had to be finished by leg spinner Shahid Afridi.

Symonds, who wound up on the ground trying to avoid the fast delivery, walked over to Younis and the two players exchanged words.

Younis didn't appear to apologize at the time but he did later.

"It just slipped through my hands. Probably I was trying to york him," Younis told reporters after the match. Symonds was the star of the innings, scoring an unbeaten 143 in Australia's 310 for eight.

He told reporters that "a lot of adrenalin" was pumping through the players at the time. "He (Younis) said sorry after the game. I am happy with that. No hard feelings."