The International Cricket Council dismissed reports of controversial umpire Darrell Hair officiating in the Champions Trophy in India as "pure speculation".

"This is pure speculation. We aim to confirm the umpire in the next day or so," ICC [Images] was quoted as saying in BBC Sport.

Hair told an Australian newspaper that he is ready to officiate in the Champions Trophy.

"Yes I am down to umpire in the Champions Trophy and I expect to fulfill that appointment," Hair said.

The Australian umpire has not officiated in any match since his controversial decision to penalize the Pakistan team for ball-tampering, which led to the first forfeiture of a match in the 129-year history of Test cricket.

Hair's international career came under cloud after that decision and Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul Haq was subsequently charged for ball tampering and bringing the game into disrepute. He will appear for a disciplinary hearing in London [Images] on September 27 and 28.

The Pakistan Cricket Board has already written to the ICC stating that it does not want Hair standing in any games involving their team.