But Board president Tauqir Zia has dismissed suggestions that the controversy could lead to a split in international cricket, with Asian countries forming their own breakaway grouping.

The Indian government will not currently allow their national side to play Pakistan.

And Zia told the Dawn newspaper: "If the Asian body is not united, how can it challenge the authority of the ICC?"

The Board of Control for Cricket in India has been in dispute with the International Cricket Council since Denness, an ICC match referee, handed out bans and fines to six players during the second Test against South Africa at Port Elizabeth.

Among them was Indian batting star Sachin Tendulkar, who was found guilty of ball tampering.

The ICC backed Denness, prompting the United Cricket Board of South Africa to relieve him of his duties to ensure the third game at Centurion went ahead as planned.

But the ICC responded by withdrawing official Test match status for the game.

Indian Board president Jagmohan Dalmiya has been quoted as saying: "Controversies will not help cricket. We will work out the issue with the ICC, we are a family."

But England's Guardian newspaper suggested on Saturday that he could lead a Kerry Packer-style breakaway unless the matter is satisfactorily resolved.