A single decision in the closing moments of a tightly contested ODI has triggered fresh scrutiny over DRS protocols and officiating standards in international cricket.
Pakistan have formally raised concerns over a contentious review call during the final stages of their chase against Bangladesh, according to a report by ESPNcricinfo, with the incident now under the attention of match referee Neeyamur Rashid.
Late DRS call alters match equation in Mirpur thriller
The controversy unfolded on the penultimate delivery of the third ODI in Mirpur, with Pakistan needing 12 runs from two balls to keep their hopes alive. A delivery from Rishad Hossain was initially signalled as a wide after drifting down the leg side away from Shaheen Shah Afridi.
What followed quickly shifted the trajectory of the match. Bangladesh opted to review the decision for a potential LBW, despite the ball appearing to have missed the batter’s body entirely.
Although the review itself was unsuccessful, the decision led to the wide being overturned after technology indicated a faint edge. The equation was immediately altered, leaving Pakistan with 12 runs required from a single delivery. Afridi was then stumped on the final ball, sealing an 11-run win for Bangladesh and a 2–1 series result.
Pakistan question timing and replay influence
At the core of Pakistan’s complaint is the belief that the review was initiated after replays of the delivery had already been shown on the stadium’s big screen.
Standard playing conditions require teams to decide on reviews without the benefit of televised replays, ensuring that decisions are made in real time without external visual assistance. Pakistan’s management has argued that this process may not have been followed in this instance.
There are also concerns regarding whether the review was taken within the permitted 15-second window. Broadcast footage did not display a timer, leaving uncertainty over whether the decision fell within the allowed timeframe.
Protocol clarity and umpiring process under focus
The incident has also raised questions about the sequence of events between the on-field decision and the review process. After signalling the wide, it remains unclear whether the umpire prompted an appeal for LBW or whether Bangladesh independently initiated the review.
Under existing regulations, a review for dismissal must be preceded by an appeal, and the timing of that appeal is critical to whether the review is valid. The lack of clarity around this sequence has added to Pakistan’s concerns.
Broader frustration after series of contentious moments
This is not the first decision in the series to draw criticism from Pakistan’s camp. In the previous ODI, Salman Ali Agha was run out while outside his crease during a moment of confusion, an incident that led to visible frustration and disciplinary action.
The accumulation of such moments has intensified scrutiny on officiating consistency across the series, particularly in high-pressure situations.
Outcome remains uncertain as PCB seeks response
While the PCB has formally escalated the issue, it remains unclear what specific outcome they are seeking from the match referee. Initial indications suggest that the board may be looking for formal acknowledgment regarding the handling of the review.
As the use of technology continues to shape match outcomes, the incident underscores the importance of strict adherence to DRS protocols, especially in decisive moments that can influence both match results and series outcomes.
