Pakistan files complaint with ICC over Fakhar dismissal

Pakistan team management have lodged a complaint against the television umpire with the International Cricket Council (ICC) over a caught-behind dispute involving Fakhar Zaman in Sunday’s Asia Cup Super Four match against India in Dubai, according to a report.

Sri Lanka umpire Ruchira Palliyaguruge gave Zaman out, caught behind by Sanju Samson for 15, when the replay did not give conclusive evidence of a clean catch. On-field umpire Gazi Sohel did not raise his finger and referred the decision to the TV umpire, who ruled it a clean catch.

From one angle it seemed the ball bounced before landing in Samson’s glove but the umpire ruled the wicketkeeper’s fingers were under the ball. Zaman stood his ground for a while and showed his displeasure before trudging out.

“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 by Telecomasia.net.

After the match, Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha had questioned the legality of Fakhar Zaman’s dismissal, saying, “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,”

“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,” he added.

The complaint against the TV umpire is the latest bitter episode in the India-Pakistan rivalry, which saw Indian players refusing to shake hands with their rivals in both matches.

Pakistan had taken a strong stance against Pycroft after the first match, demanding his removal after a no-handshake controversy.

Not a rivalry anymore, says Suryakumar

India captain Suryakumar Yadav played down the hype around the cricket rivalry with Pakistan after beating their bitter rivals by six wickets.

India rode on a blazing 74 from opener Abhishek Sharma as they chased down a target of 172 in 18.5 overs in the Super Four clash, where they again refused to shake hands with their opponents.

It was India’s second win in the Twenty20 tournament over Pakistan in a week after their group stage clash.

It was also their 12th in 15 T20 internationals.

Asked if this dominance showed that the rivalry was waning, Suryakumar replied: “You guys should stop asking questions about the rivalry between India-Pakistan.

“According to me, if two teams play 15-20 matches, and if it is even, then it is a rivalry. 13-0, 10-1, I don’t know what the stat is, but this is not a rivalry anymore.”

Pakistan’s last of three T20 wins over India came in the Asia Cup in Dubai in 2022.

India and Pakistan only play in multinational tournaments as their bilateral ties have been stalled since 2012 over political tension.

Pakistan rode on a brilliant 45-ball 58 from opener Sahibzada Farhan but managed 171-5 after romping to 93-1 in 9.3 overs.

Suryakumar said that India played better cricket as Abishek and Shubman Gill put on a rapid 105 for the opening stand in 9.5 overs.

“I think we were better than them (Pakistan), and also from a bowling point of view,” said Suryakumar. “The catch drop percentage at this venue is so high and that is part and parcel of the game.”

Suryakumar praised Sharma’s talent.

“He knows what is required of him, what bowlers are going to bowl, that’s a plus point for him. He is learning with every game,” said Suryakumar of the 25-year-old left-hander.

Pakistan captain Salman Agha said that his team had come up 15-20 runs short.

“We have yet to play a perfect game in this event,” said Agha, whose team next faces Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.

“After being 91 in 10 overs we lost way but still feel 171 was a challenging total.”

Agha acknowledged that his bowlers could not control the Indian openers.

“We need to play a perfect game, do well in all three departments,” said Agha. “We look forward to playing Sri Lanka in the next game.”

Bangladesh beat Sri Lanka by four wickets in their Super Four match in Dubai on Saturday.

The top two teams from Super Four will play the final in Dubai on Sept. 28.

Agencies