Pakistan were at the centre of another ball-tampering row after it emerged New Zealand, their opponents in today's Champions Trophy semi-final, will be monitoring their fast bowler Umar Gul following renewed whispers of sharp practice.

The Kiwis were convinced Gul had lifted the seam during a searing match-winning spell of five wickets for six runs that bowled Pakistan to victory in the World Twenty20 semis at the Brit Oval in June.

Now New Zealand, who have played Pakistan in six one-day semi-finals and lost five of them, are considering altering their videoanalysis programme to track the path of the ball in case it begins to reverse-swing as violently as it did during the World Twenty20.