As the call for revoking the ban on Mohammed Azharuddin gathered steam in India, the International Cricket Council on Thursday made it clear that only the game's governing body had the "absolute discretion" to reinstate banned players.

Although the ICC [Images] did not mention any specific case, it is apparently referring to recent reports that the Board of Control for Cricket in India is contemplating to revoke the life ban imposed on former captain Azharuddin for his alleged role in match-fixing.

"The process would begin with the banned player writing to the ICC chief executive officer (CEO) making a formal request to be reinstated," ICC said in a statement on Thursday, outlining the procedure for revoking a ban.

"The ICC CEO would consider the request and has the absolute discretion to reinstate the player if he was satisfied it was appropriate to do so."

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However, if he was not satisfied he should exercise his discretion and would request the ICC Code of Conduct Commissioner, Michael Beloff QC, to constitute an Official Enquiry."

The ICC and the BCCI have been engaged in a war of words regarding Azharuddin's ban with the Indian Board claiming that the games governing body was adopting double standards in dealing with the players involved in match fixing activities.

The wrangle started when the BCCI decided to invite Azhar for a function which did not go down well with the ICC.

The ICC statement said as per the rules the banned player could be present in the official enquiry to defend himself.

"The enquiry would usually involve the ICC Code of Conduct chairman and two other members of the Code of Conduct Commission, which has representatives drawn from the ten ICC Full Members and six leading Associate Members," the statement said.

"The process of conducting the Official Enquiry would be at the discretion of its chairman and if a hearing was constituted the banned player would get the opportunity to be present at or listen to all of the evidence and to question any witnesses.

The enquiry would be in a position to report to the ICC's Executive Board within three months of the date it was established."

"The Executive Board would then consider the matter and make a decision on whether or not the banned player should be reinstated. The Executive Board's decision would be final and binding with no right of appeal," it said.