The Pakistan team director Mohammad Hafeez has cited “inconsistent umpiring” and the “curse” of the DRS technology as a major reason for Pakistan’s loss to Australia in the second Test at the MCG.
At one point on Day 4 at the MCG, Pakistan threatened to write a historic win – which would have been their first Test match win in Australia since 1976 – when they were 219/5, chasing the target of 317 runs, with Mohammed Rizwan and Afgha Salman both batting with aggression in their partnership of 57 (88).
But Australian captain Pat Cummins returned for a ferocious spell to give his side a breakthrough with Rizwan’s wicket. That came with plenty of drama. An appeal for a caught behind was given not out on the field, with Rizwan gesturing that the ball hit his arm. But Cummins took the DRS, and got the decision overturned as the ball showed to be brushing the strap of Rizwan’s glove.
Pakistan’s collapsed from 219/5 to 237 all-out with Cummins taking his second five-for of this game.
The result which should have been different: Mohammad Hafeez
In the post-match press conference, Mohammad Hafeez went on a big rant about Rizwan’s controversial dismissal and the umpire’s call confusion which he couldn’t comprehend.
Hafeez said: “We made some mistakes as a team, we will take that, we will address those things, but at the same time I believe inconsistent umpiring and technology curse [has] really given us the result which should have been different.
“I feel like these are the areas that need to be addressed. I spoke to [Rizwan] and he’s a very honest person. He said he did not even feel that it touched anywhere near the gloves. And what we saw, there should be conclusive evidence to reverse the decision of the umpire. That’s what I know. The umpire gave it not out and there was no conclusive kind of evidence where the decision has to be turned over.”
Watch the video here:
Pakistan team director Mohammad Hafeez gives his take on the Test, talking about technology and his team’s performance #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/8uHUoWhZMX
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) December 29, 2023
Pakistan team director Mohammad Hafeez gives his take on the Test, talking about technology and his team’s performance #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/8uHUoWhZMX
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) December 29, 2023
Also, a talking point has been the umpire’s call in this game. As many as four ‘Umpire’s Call’ decisions went Australia’s way in this match, making Mohammad Hafeez even more frustrated with the technology.
Also Read : Watch: Delhi-Born Nikhil Chaudhary Smashed Haris Rauf For A Jaw-Dropping Six On The Offside In BBL
