Although discreet in his response to whether the tour was in danger of being terminated after the ICC said that the hearing into Harbhajan's appeal against the ban will take long, Pawar said options were open.

"Let's see what happens, but allegations of racism against a member of our cricket team are not acceptable. After the meeting, we then will take action," he was quoted as saying in The Courier Mail.

Pawar confirmed that he has been empowered by the BCCI to decide on the matter.

"That is true but I will only use the power in support of Harbhajan for the rest of the country," he said.

"There will be an (ICC) committee hearing. We are confident that in the hearing he will be cleared," he added.

An ICC spokesman has said the hearing into Harbhajan's appeal will take longer than the stipulated seven days.

"It should be held within seven days of a commissioner being appointed but that can be extended," he said.