Pakistan Lodges Official Complaint After Late DRS Call Denies Final-Over Comeback Against Bangladesh
The Pakistan national cricket team has formally submitted a complaint to International Cricket Council (ICC) match referee Neeyamur Rashid following a disputed Decision Review System (DRS) call in the third ODI against Bangladesh. The controversial review occurred in the final over, directly impacting Pakistan’s run chase and allowing Bangladesh to secure an 11-run victory and a 2-1 series win.
The 15-Second Protocol and Big Screen Allegations
The core of Pakistan’s grievance centers on the timing and circumstances of the review requested by Bangladesh. According to ICC regulations, fielding teams possess a strict 15-second window to challenge an on-field decision. Furthermore, players are explicitly prohibited from consulting stadium big screens before opting for a review.
Pakistan team management asserts that Bangladesh initiated the DRS challenge only after a replay was broadcast on the stadium screen. On-field umpire Kumar Dharmasena permitted the review, a decision that Pakistan argues breached standard ICC DRS protocols.
Standard ICC DRS Rules for Player Reviews
- Teams must request a review within 15 seconds of the ball becoming dead.
- Players may not seek external assistance, including from dressing rooms or stadium replays.
- A “wide” delivery cannot be directly reviewed; however, reviews for LBW or caught behind can result in a wide call being overturned.
Final Over Breakdown
The incident materialized with Pakistan needing 12 runs from the final two deliveries. Captain Shaheen Shah Afridi was on strike against Bangladesh leg-spinner Rishad Hossain. Hossain delivered a ball down the leg side, which Dharmasena immediately signaled as a wide.
Bangladesh appealed for an LBW and requested a review. While teams cannot review a wide directly, the LBW challenge forced the third umpire to examine the delivery using UltraEdge technology. Replays displayed a distinct audio spike as the ball passed the bat. Because the ball made contact with the bat, the original wide call was legally overturned into a dot ball.
| Delivery | Bowler | Batter | Original Call | DRS Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 49.5 | Rishad Hossain | Shaheen Shah Afridi | Wide | Overturned to dot ball (UltraEdge spike) |
| 49.6 | Rishad Hossain | Shaheen Shah Afridi | Out | Stumped (Match Over) |
Match and Series Impact
The overturned wide call eliminated Pakistan’s mathematical chances of completing the chase. On the subsequent and final delivery, Shaheen Afridi was stumped. The dismissal confirmed Bangladesh’s 11-run victory and sealed their first ODI series win over Pakistan in 11 years.
Following the conclusion of the match, Pakistan’s coaching staff approached match referee Neeyamur Rashid to register their concerns, rectifying initial reports that erroneously placed former New Zealand coach Mike Hesson in the Pakistan dugout. Match officials reportedly clarified the sequence of events with the Pakistan camp, stating that Bangladesh did not gain an unfair advantage. The ICC has not yet released an official statement regarding potential disciplinary action or fines related to the protocol dispute.