“I had predicted”: Wasim Akram, Misbah-ul-Haq question DRS after Pakistan lose to South Africa in thrilling encounter

Former Pakistan players Wasim Akram and Misbah-ul-Haq have lashed out at the umpires for questionable decisions during a World Cup match between Pakistan and South Africa. Pakistan lost to South Africa by one wicket in a nail-biting finish. However, one questionable decision by the field umpire evoked angry reactions from Akram and Misbah.

Misbah questioned the rationale behind referring the controversial decisions of field umpires to the third umpire when this did not make any difference in the event that the ball wasn’t hitting the stumps conclusively.

This was after Haris Rauf made a passionate appeal for LBW against Tabraiz Shamsi in his last over. The field umpire refused to declare Shamsi out, forcing the Pakistani skipper to refer the decision to the TV umpire. The TV reply showed that whilst the ball was going to hit the leg stumps, this fell under what’s known as ‘the umpire’s call.’ The ‘umpire’s call’ means that whatever the field umpire had decided will stand. In this case, the field umpire’s decision was not out, therefore Shamsi continued to bat.

Also Read: “Jaise chamaar nahi hote hain”: Wasim Akram’s post-match analysis on Pakistan’s defeat evokes angry reactions from Indian fans

Had Shamsi been declared ‘out’ by the field umpire, his decision would have stood even after the South Africans decided to review that decision. This would have resulted in a thrilling win for Pakistan.

Reacting to the umpire’s decision, Misbah said that the concept of ‘umpire’s call’ did not make sense. Wasim Akram agreed saying that the current system indeed had flaws.

Legendary pacer @wasimakramlive points out a “massive mistake” by Pakistan captain #BabarAzam in Pakistan’s one-wicket defeat against South Africa.#ASportsHD #ARYZAP #ThePavilion #CWC23 #FakhreAlam #WasimAkram #ShoaibMalik #MisbahUlHaq #MoinKhan #PAKvsSA pic.twitter.com/QIWooMMyBC

— ASports (@asportstvpk) October 27, 2023

Akram also appeared unhappy with Pakistani batters for their inability to play Tabraiz, who picked up four wickets earlier in the match.

“I said the same thing in Asia Cup that we will be in trouble due to Kuldeep Yadav. Before today’s game, I had predicted about Tabraiz….This is not a new problem. Take an example of our own PSL. Tabraiz was with us,” Akram said.

Akram also questioned Babar Azam’s decision to bring in Nawaz instead of Usama Mir since the latter had bowled better and had even taken two wickets.