Board of Control for Cricket in Indian President Sharad Pawar told reporters in New Delhi on Tuesday that International Cricket Council chief executive Malcolm Speed stated that off-spinner Harbhajan Singh, who was charged with racially abusing Andrew Symonds and banned for three Tests after an inquiry, can play the next Test at Perth starting January 16.
"I spoke to Speed this morning and asked him if there was any problem in Harbhajan playing the next Test match at Perth and he said that there was none. It is up to the team management to decide whether to include him in the final eleven," said Pawar.
Asked if all the differences had been sorted out and whether the tour would go on without any further hassle, Pawar said that it was for the Board's Working Committee which would take the ultimate decision on Tuesday evening at a special meeting in New Delhi.
"I have to speak to the Working Committee and submit my report which in turn will decide the fate of the tour," he said.
He made it clear that it was the ICC who needed to decide whether or not to change the umpires.
The BCCI chief also accepted the responsibility for having directed the team to stay put in Sydney and not to proceed to Canberra until BCCI takes a decision on the Harbhajan issue.
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