The PCB intends to bring up concerns about umpiring decisions and the use of technology with the ICC following Mohammad Rizwan’s dismissal in the Melbourne Test.
Following the contentious dismissal of Mohammad Rizwan in the second Test against Australia, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has opted to address concerns related to umpiring and technology usage with the International Cricket Council (ICC).
In the recent incident, despite the on-field umpire initially rejecting the caught behind appeal from Australian captain Pat Cummins, the decision was overturned by the home side through the Decision Review System (DRS) on Friday.
However, the Pakistan team expressed dissatisfaction with the decision reversal, particularly as the ‘Snickometer’ indicated a spike when the ball was slightly above Rizwan’s wrist.
PCB aims to take up Rizwan’s Melbourne Test dismissal with the ICC
A credible insider from the PCB revealed that Zaka Ashraf, the head of the board, engaged in a discussion with team director Mohammed Hafeez. During this conversation, Hafeez highlighted certain issues related to umpiring decisions and the application of technology in the Melbourne Test, where Pakistan suffered a 79-run defeat.
Subsequently, the PCB is prepared to bring these concerns to the attention of the global governing body. The ICC Executive Board approves all cricket rules and regulations, along with on-field technology usage, following scrutiny by the MCC Cricket Committee and ICC Cricket Committee.
After the match at the MCG on Friday, Hafeez expressed clear discontent during the post-match press conference. He emphasized the importance of addressing inconsistent umpiring and the complexities of technology, which had an impact on the Test’s outcome.
“If you look at the entire game, there were very inconsistent decisions by the umpires. We play this beautiful game of cricket with natural instinct, and we all know the basics of the game.”
“However, at times, it feels like the focus is more on technology than on the actual cricket being played. I believe this is an area that needs to be addressed,” he Hafeez had said.
The former also emphasized the importance of clarity and certainty within the sport.
“I am not against technology in the game. But if it brings doubt and confusion, it is not acceptable. Some decisions were not understandable. The ball hitting the stumps is always out. I will never understand why there is an umpire’s call,” he detailed.
Hafeez mentioned discussing with Rizwan, who asserted that the ball didn’t make contact with his gloves, emphasizing the necessity of conclusive evidence to challenge the on-field umpire’s decision.
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