Tag PakvSL-2012

The use of the Decision Review System (DRS) has been stressed on by many teams, but umpires have been making brilliant decisions in a lot of matches where the system has been used, leading some to think that it just might be a waste of money. But during the first Test of a 3-match series between Pakistan and hosts Sri Lanka which took place at the Galle stadium, a lot of bad decisions by the umpires, most of which went against the Pakistanis, has urged the team forward and, along with their coach, the have lodged a formal complaint over the poor umpiring.

Sri Lanka being the home board, had opted to not implement the DRS system when Pakistan came visiting. They had however, used it during England’s tour of the country before this for a Test series which ended in a 1-1 draw. Pakistan had implemented the system when they hosted the Lankans last year in the UAE, with the help of sponsors.

A source close to the Pakistan team spoke about the situation and was quoted saying: “Pakistan team manager Naved Cheema and coach Dav Whatmore formally lodged a complaint over the umpiring with match referee David Boon after the test ended.”

England’s Ian Gould and Australian Steve Davis had given at least 10 to 12 questionable decisions in the Test match, most of those against Pakistan, which affected the team greatly. They lost the match by 209 runs but were no doubt outclassed in every aspect.

“Cheema and Whatmore told Boon that the Pakistani players had concerns over the umpiring standards as while one or two bad decisions were acceptable but the majority of bad decisions went against them in the test,” the source said, also adding that the team management had sent its report on the umpiring to the ICC as per regulations after the match.

The ICC meanwhile, has decided against making the DRS system mandatory in all Tests and ODIs, after pressure and objection from India. Pakistan’s former Test captain Rashid Latif spoke to media and said that he was surprised at India’s continuous opposition to the technology.

“It is not perfect everyone knows that. Technology is never 100 per cent correct but it has definitely brought up an improvement in umpiring standards and reduced errors in matches which it is being used. What surprises me is the ICC's continuing unclear stance on the compulsory use of the UDRS. This is damaging for the sport and we are seeing the effects in the series with Sri Lanka. The Lankans had the system in place for their series against England but not for Pakistan that is why it is necessary to make the use of UDRS mandatory for all matches and ICC should financially subsidize costs,” Latif was quoted saying.

He later said that the number of bad decisions that went against Pakistan in the Test at Galle were “ridiculous” and cost them the match.