Following the controversy over the handshake row with India, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has again approached the International Cricket Council (ICC). This time, Pakistan’s team management raised a formal complaint against the television umpire over Fakhar Zaman’s dismissal in the Asia Cup Super Four clash against India in Dubai.
Zaman was declared out on 15 runs when Sri Lankan umpire Ruchira Palliyaguruge ruled him caught behind by Sanju Samson. The on-field umpire, Gazi Sohel, was unsure and referred it to the TV umpire, who confirmed the dismissal.
However, replays created confusion, as from one angle the ball appeared to touch the ground before Samson’s gloves closed around it. The TV umpire concluded that Samson’s fingers were under the ball and upheld the catch. Zaman, visibly frustrated, paused at the crease before walking back, indicating his dissatisfaction with the decision.
Management and ICC Involvement
“Pakistan team manager Naveed Cheema went to the match referee, Andy Pycroft, to complain but was told that it was not his domain. Alternatively, the manager sent an email to the ICC complaining about the umpire,” said sources, as quoted in a report.
The Pakistan camp was visibly unhappy, especially since they had previously asked the ICC twice to remove Pycroft after the handshake controversy, but their request was rejected. This latest dispute has now added more fuel to the already tense rivalry between the two teams.
Players’ Reactions and Ongoing Rivalry
After the match, Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha openly expressed doubt over the legality of Zaman’s dismissal. He remarked, “I don’t know about the decision. It’s obviously the umpire’s job. Umpires can make mistakes. And I have no problem with that. But it does look like it bounced before it was carried to the keeper.”
He further explained the importance of Zaman’s wicket by saying, “You can say the way he was batting, if he batted throughout the powerplay, we probably would have scored 190. But yeah, that’s the umpire’s call. And they can make mistakes. I don’t know. To me, it bounced before it reached the keeper.”
The incident has deepened the ongoing India-Pakistan cricket tensions, already inflamed by the no-handshake controversy in earlier encounters. Pakistan’s insistence on challenging the umpiring decisions reflects their dissatisfaction with the officiating, while ICC’s repeated refusals to remove Pycroft have further heightened the conflict.
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