Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq has warned that his team could pull out of the one-day series against England if he is not cleared of ball tampering allegations.
"It would be difficult for the players to play on if we are labelled cheats," Inzamam was quoted as saying in Tuesday's Daily Express newspaper.
Inzamam could be banned for eight one-day internationals or four Tests if he is found guilty of ball tampering and bringing the game into disrepute at an International Cricket Council (ICC) hearing on Friday.
Inzamam was charged with both offences by the ICC on Monday after his team forfeited the fourth and final Test against England at The Oval on Sunday.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) immediately lodged an appeal but said it would go ahead with the five one-day internationals against England and a Twenty20 match starting next week even if Inzamam was suspended.
The skipper, however, said there are still no guarantees the series would go ahead.
"It doesn't matter whether I'm playing or not," he said. "What matters is whether we are cheating or not.
"We will wait for the decision and then make up our minds.
"It doesn't just involve me and the team, it involves the whole country. That is the main issue."
Umpires Darrell Hair of Australia and Billy Doctrove from West Indies decided on Sunday that Pakistan had forfeited the match when they failed to take the field after the tea interval.
Pakistan were incensed that the umpires had decided they had been guilty of ball tampering, docking the team five runs, and staged a protest by staying in the dressing room for several minutes.
"This charge is very bad for us but we are on the right side because none of the boys have done anything wrong so I'm very confident we will win the case," Inzamam said.
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