Pakistan lodged ICC complaints about Bangladesh using DRS after replays

The recent third ODI between Pakistan and Bangladesh has ended in controversy, with Pakistan lodging a formal complaint with the ICC match referee regarding a Decision Review System (DRS) call. This complaint arises from a critical moment in the match that saw Bangladesh win by 11 runs, raising questions about the integrity of the review process.

During the match, the on-field umpire, Kumar Dharmasena, initially ruled a delivery wide, but Bangladesh opted for a review for LBW after a replay was shown on the big screen. Pakistan’s management contends that this review was requested outside the 15-second window allowed for DRS calls, which has led to significant scrutiny of the incident.

According to ICC rules, the total time elapsed between the ball becoming dead and the review request must not exceed 15 seconds. Furthermore, the rules explicitly state that no replays should be displayed on the big screen until this time limit has passed. However, the absence of a visible timer during the match has raised doubts about whether Bangladesh’s review was made within the stipulated timeframe.

In the final moments of the match, Pakistan needed 12 runs to win off the last two balls. The tension escalated when Shaheen Afridi was stumped on the last delivery, resulting in Pakistan finishing at 279/9 and losing the series 2-1 to Bangladesh. The match’s outcome has left the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) seeking public acknowledgment of what they believe was an error in the review process.

Mike Hesson, Pakistan’s head coach, met with match referee Neeyamur Rashid to file the complaint, emphasizing the team’s belief that Bangladesh took the review after a replay of the delivery was shown. This incident has sparked discussions about the adherence to DRS protocols and the potential implications for future matches.

The DRS showed a spike indicating that the ball may have hit the bat, which led to the on-field decision being overturned. This pivotal moment has not only affected the match’s outcome but also raised broader questions about the consistency and enforcement of DRS regulations in international cricket.

Reaction from the field

As the situation unfolds, both teams are likely to face scrutiny regarding their adherence to ICC regulations. Details remain unconfirmed regarding the ICC’s response to Pakistan’s complaint, but the incident has already generated significant media attention and debate among cricket analysts and fans alike.