NZ captain Daniel Vettori queried match officials after Umar Gul's devastating spell of reverse swing. Photo / AP

NZ captain Daniel Vettori queried match officials after Umar Gul's devastating spell of reverse swing. Photo / AP

LONDON - Pakistan captain Younus Khan came to the defence of paceman Umar Gul following suggestions of ball-tampering.

New Zealand spoke with match officials to clarify that Gul's record international Twenty20 figures of five wickets for six runs in Sunday's (NZT) win over the Black Caps at the Oval were legitimate.

But Younus, speaking after Gul had taken two for 19 in a 39-run win over Ireland at the Oval this morning, which clinched Pakistan's place in the semifinals, was adamant Gul had done nothing wrong.

"Everybody has his own opinion, especially when you lose a game like that," he told reporters.

"For reverse swing you need pace and a good action. His (Gul's) action is very suitable for reverse-swing.

"We are not cheating. The umpires are checking the ball and there are a lot of cameras. How can we cheat?"

"We already have a lot of controversies," said Younus, whose homeland has become a no-go zone for international cricket after March's attack by armed militants on the Sri Lanka team bus in Lahore.

"Reverse swing required a lot of skill and I think Umar Gul knows the art, especially in Twenty20," insisted Younus, who said his paceman had learnt from other notable Pakistan reverse swing bowlers.

"He doesn't struggle with fitness and he works hard in the nets, just as Imran Khan, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Shoaib Akhtar did. Umar has also talked with all of them."

Earlier, Pakistan coach Intikhab Alam said: "It is disappointing to hear these things. Umar is a fantastic bowler."

The matter is now set to be closed after officials told the New Zealand management they had no queries regarding Pakistan's conduct in the field.

It was at the Oval in 2006 that Pakistan became the first side in history to forfeit a test match when they refused to take the field after Australian umpire Darrell Hair, supported by his West Indian colleague Billy Doctrove, penalised them five runs for ball-tampering.

Former test leg-spinner Alam was adamant Gul's feat had been achieved by entirely proper means.

"He's quick and his action makes a lot of difference."

New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori today confirmed that discussions had taken place with umpires Mark Benson, Rod Tucker and match referee Ranjan Madugalle.