'He was not out': After Andy Pycroft drama, PCB files complaint over Fakhar Zaman's contentious dismissal against India

After expressing their displeasure over India’s refusal to shake hands with the Pakistan team and attempting to get match referee Andy Pycroft removed from the ongoing Asia Cup, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has found a new target – opener Fakhar Zaman's contentious dismissal off Hardik Pandya's bowling in their Super 4s clash in Dubai on Sunday.

According to Hindustan Times, the Mohsin Naqvi-led board has written to the International Cricket Council seeking an investigation on Fakhar’s dismissal. The report adds that team manager Naveed Cheema filed the complaint on behalf of the PCB after Sunday’s rematch, in which India pulled off a second consecutive successful chase to maintain their winning streak in the ongoing tournament.

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“Yes, we have complained to the ICC about Fakhar Zaman’s dismissal. He was not out, according to us, as the ball didn’t carry properly. We seek an investigation into the matter,” a PCB source was quoted by the newspaper as saying.

Why Fakhar’s dismissal off Pandya’s bowling has become controversial

Fakhar was sent to open the innings alongside Sahibzada Farhan ahead of the out-of-form Saim Ayub after India skipper Suryakumar Yadav opted to field. And the veteran opener was off to a confident start, smacking pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah for back-to-back fours in the second over before slapping a wide delivery from all-rounder Hardik Pandya through point in the following over.

Pandya responded with a slower delivery after getting hit for the boundary, with the southpaw nicking the ball towards wicketkeeper Sanju Samson. The Indians were initially muted in their celebrations, following which the on-field umpires decided to refer to their colleague upstairs.

While it could not be conclusively established through replays whether the ball had bounced on the grass or whether Samson got his gloves underneath the ball, TV umpire Ruchira Palliyaguruge ultimately decided to rule in favour of the fielding side.

Fakhar, however, appeared taken aback by the TV umpire’s decision and was visibly furious by the time he joined head coach Mike Hesson and the others in the Pakistani dressing room. And it wasn’t just the senior top-order batter; Pakistani pace legends Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis too felt that the ball had “clearly bounced” on the ground before settling in the keeper’s gloves.

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Despite Fakhar’s early dismissal, Pakistan posted a competitive 171/5 on the board thanks to Farhan’s 45-ball 58. India, however, would pull off another comfortable chase thanks to Abhishek Sharma’s explosive 74 off just 39 deliveries and his 105-run opening partnership with Shubman Gill.

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