Pakistan file formal complaint over contentious last-over DRS call

Pakistan have filed an official complaint in relation to a DRS call made off the penultimate delivery of the third ODI. The incident occurred when Rishad Hossain, who was bowling the last over, delivered one down the leg side after the batter Shaheen Shah Afridi moved towards the off side. On-field umpire Kumar Dharmasena adjudicated it as a wide and Pakistan, who needed 12 runs off two balls, then required one less.

Soon after though, Bangladesh went for a DRS review believing the ball deflected off the shoe and there was a chance of an LBW dismissal. However, the replays showed that the ball had, in fact, come off the toe end of the bat and so the wide did not stand, meaning the game was virtually over for Pakistan who needed 12 runs from the last delivery.

The bone of contention, however, is the allegation of the Pakistan camp who felt that Bangladesh took the review after watching the replay on the big screen. In view of it, the team management has lodged a protest to match referee Neeyamur Rashid over the DRS call permitted by Dharmasena.

Standard procedure requires the teams to take a DRS review before any replays are shown on the big screens so that the team taking the review does not get an advantage. Pakistan, however, believe this protocol was not observed. The visitors also alleged that the concerned review was taken after the 15-second time limit elapsed. However, the broadcast did not show a countdown timer, therefore, making it difficult to verify if the review was taken within the permitted time-frame.

As is being reported, it is not yet known what Pakistan expect as the outcome of the appeal. What is only possible now is the acknowledgement that an error was committed.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh wrapped up the final ODI with a win by 11 runs and took home the series 2-1. Nahid Rana, who scalped a magnificent five-wicket haul in the first match, was declared the Player of the Series with a total of eight wickets to his name.