The International Cricket Council on Monday cancelled its executive board meeting to discuss the controversial Oval Test between England [Images] and Pakistan.

The ICC's [Images] top decision-making body was to have met in Dubai on Saturday to discuss the row which erupted when Pakistan forfeited the final Test after refusing to take the field in protest at a five-run penalty for alleged ball-tampering.

In a statement, ICC president Percy Sonn said the meeting was no longer necessary because the board of directors had "an understanding of the situation".

The Pakistan Cricket Board blamed Australian umpire Darrell Hair for sparking the row by ruling the team had illegally tampered with the ball.

Hair came under further criticism after the ICC revealed on Friday he sought a one-off payment of $500,000 to quit the elite panel of umpires.

Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq [Images] faces a disciplinary hearing for ball-tampering and bringing the game into disrepute but there has been debate as to whether the ICC could overturn the charges.

"There has been much speculation over the past few days about whether the executive board has the power to overturn a properly laid charge by the umpires," Sonn said.

"The original intention was to seek legal advice concerning the executive board's powers but I do not believe it is necessary to obtain that advice.

"We have processes in place to deal with code of conduct matters and we should not seek to interfere with it," he added.

PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan was quoted as saying: "We understand the need for the hearing to go ahead for the reasons explained by the ICC president Mr Sonn."

The hearing is likely to be held in the second half of September, the statement said.