Hall to miss next two Tests after losing appeal

Andrew Hall will miss South Africa's next two Tests against Pakistan after losing his appeal against a two-match ban.

Hall and Youhana exchange unpleasantries in the second ODI at Lahore © Wisden Cricinfo Ltd

Sir Oliver Popplewell, a member of the ICC's Code of Conduct Commission, upheld the punishment which was imposed on Hall by Clive Lloyd, the match referee, following his altercation with Yousuf Youhana during the second one-day international between South Africa and Pakistan at Lahore.

Hall was banned for elbowing Youhana during the match and the flashpoint also led to Hall and Graeme Smith, the captain, being suspended for the final ODI of the series for inappropriate and deliberate physical contact. However, Hall was also found guilty of a Level 3 offence for conduct which brings the game into disrepute, an offence which automatically incurs a minimum penalty of a two-Test ban.

"No one who has seen the video, and I have seen it four or five times, can be in any doubt that there was a very serious confrontation," said Popplewell, a former English high-court judge.

Hall will miss the first Test, which starts at Lahore on October 17.