The International Cricket Council does not rule out a forensic test of the ball that was alleged to have been tampered with by Pakistan during the Oval Test against England.
ICC Chief Executive Malcolm Speed said a forensic test had been suggested and it could be part of the evidence that would be examined when the hearing takes place later this month.
"Forensic test is being suggested. The laws of cricket are clear on what constitutes changing the condition of the ball. Lawyers of Pakistan and ICC are studying what evidence can be put forth," Speed said on the sidelines of a press conference to announce the nominations for this year's Hyundai ICC Awards.
In the absence of video or photographic evidence of whether Pakistani players altered the condition of the ball, which is in possession of the ICC, a forensic test is expected to provide the vital clue.
However, it is not clear whether a forensic test can actually establish conclusive evidence if a ball has been tampered with intentionally.
Speed, nevertheless, stressed that ICC is all for a fair hearing.
"We want a fair hearing. We don't want to sit on the side of the umpires, we don't want to sit on the side of the team. We want to sit in between them and accept whatever decision is made by the adjudicator," he said.
