LONDON (Reuters) - International Cricket Council (ICC) chief executive Malcolm Speed said on Sunday he hoped Darrell Hair could continue umpiring but was not sure it would happen following the Oval ball-tampering controversy.

Austalian Hair offered to quit top-level cricket in return for $500,000 (264.9 thousand pounds) following heavy criticism for his role in Pakistan's forfeited final test against England.

Asked on Sunday if Hair could retain his place on the ICC's Elite Panel of Umpires, Speed told BBC Radio Five Live's sportsweek programme he wanted him to continue umpiring at the top level.

"He's very devoted and dedicated to umpiring," said Speed.

"There have been other issues in his career when people have said 'this is the end for Darrell Hair, he can't continue to umpire'.

"This is after he called (Sri Lanka's) Muttiah Muralitharan for throwing in Melbourne in 1996 ... Darrell survived that, he's become a better umpire, he is one of the world's best umpires so, yes, I hope we can find a way for Darrell to continue."

Speed was uncertain, however, if Hair could ride out the storm that has followed the fourth test against England when Hair and fellow umpire Billy Doctrove penalised Pakistan five runs for alleged ball-tampering.

SPECULATION

The ICC said on Friday Hair had requested a one-off payment to compensate for future loss of earnings if he stood down.

Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq faces charges of ball-tampering and of bringing the game into disrepute after the tourists refused to play after tea on day four in protest.

"I'm not sure that will happen," Speed said of Hair's continued presence on the Elite panel.

"Because there is a lot of speculation from people like (former England captain and TV pundit) Nasser Hussain and other people that we hear about when they say they believe Darrell Hair is finished, that he has compromised."

Asked if Hair would ever umpire matches involving Pakistan again, Speed added: "That was said in 1996 and again in 1999 because of issues with Sri Lanka Darrell could never umpire Sri Lanka.

"But I think in the course of this year he has umpired two test matches (involving Sri Lanka)."

Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Shaharyar Khan, speaking later on the same programme, said Hair should not umpire Pakistan again.

"Mr Hair should not umpire a match in which Pakistan is involved. This is our position... what happens to Mr Hair for his performance at The Oval is for the ICC to decide.

"As far as Pakistan is concerned, we have said it in the past and we say it again, we do not want Mr Hair umpiring our matches."

Asked what impact Hair's demand to be paid-off would have on the outcome of the ball-tampering row, Khan replied: "It shows where the truth lies."