PCB complains over Bangladesh’s late DRS call in Mirpur thriller

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) put up a verbal complaint to match referee Neeyamur Rashid over Bangladesh reviewing a leg-before decision in the penultimate ball of the Pakistan innings in the third and final ODI in Mirpur on Sunday, which the hosts won by 11 runs.

On-field umpire Kumar Dharmasena had allowed the review, which saw the wide delivery decision overturned at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. PCB officials said that the replay of the delivery had already been shown on the stadium’s big screen before Bangladesh reviewed the decision.

“There was a verbal complaint regarding the review since the replay was shown on the big screen,” a source informed The Daily Star.

The visitors needed 12 off two deliveries in the last over bowled by Bangladesh leg-spinner Rishad Hossain. The delivery spun down the legs of batter Shaheen Shah and was signalled a wide. With no DRS (Decision Review System) possible for overturning wide decisions, Bangladesh opted to review a leg-before decision. Snicko showed that the ball grazed Shaheen’s bat on the way to the wicket-keeper Litton Das. The wide decision was overturned, leaving Pakistan requiring 12 off one delivery.

Shaheen had shown his displeasure at the Bangladesh review at that point in time. However, there was initially no appeal, because a wide had been signalled. As is the norm, since the wide decision was already made, the replay was shown on the giant screen while there was commotion in the middle as Bangladesh players sought review.

But Litton must have heard the edge for him to go up and convince his side to take a review, a very smart one. PCB officials also feel Bangladesh reviewed the decision after 15 seconds had passed.

“When a wide is called, the 15-second rule is not executed as there was initially no appeal. The on-field umpires too did not see the replay on the giant screen as Dharmasena was talking to the captains of both sides. Neither on-field umpires nor TV umpires had seen the giant screen, which was showing the replay,” a source said.

The complaint surfaces from a technicality, as Shaheen had actually hit the ball. The umpires should have noted that the replay was being shown on the big screen, because as per protocol a decision to take the review must be made before any replay appears on the big screen. But what PCB aims to gain from the complaint was not clear. The captain’s report also mentioned the incident.

Pakistan coach Mike Hesson had talked to the match referee, sources said. There was no written complaint or letter submitted to the match officials. The match referee will review and take necessary decisions, sources claimed.

Pakistan skipper Shaheen did not mention the incident in the post-match presentations ceremony and praised Rishad for his bowling.