PCB to address umpiring and technological concerns to ICC

Mohammad Rizwan was given out after Australia skipper Pat Cummins decided to review for a caught behind in the second innings of the Boxing Day Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). The 31-year-old was unhappy with the decision of the third umpire as nothing concrete was observed on the hotspot but there was a clear spike in the snickometer.

Later on, the Pakistan camp clarified that the ball hit just above the wrist of the stumper-batter and expressed their disappointment with the technology. Meanwhile, as per reports, PCB chief Zaka Ashraf had a meeting with team director Mohammad Hafeez after the match, as the latter conveyed information about the poor use of technology in the second Test of the series, in which the Shan Masood-led side lost by 79 runs. PCB, on the other hand, is very likely to take the matter to the International Cricket Council (ICC) to address their concerns regarding poor umpiring in the Test.

I am not against technology in the game: Hafeez

Mohammad Hafeez particularly was very upset with Mohammad Rizwan’s dismissal on Day 4. The former cricketer mentioned that he is not against technology, but pointed out that it brings confusion at times. He also voiced his opinion on the standard of umpiring in the match. The 43-year-old stated that the on-field umpires were very inconsistent and it affected the beauty of the game.

“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,” Hafeez was quoted as saying by NDTV.

“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.

Pakistan are currently trailing 2-0 in the three-match series. The final match of the series will begin on January 3 and will be played in Sydney.