Big controversy: Pakistan allege umpire-fixing and cheating by Bangladesh after ODI series loss
Published - 16 Mar 2026, 10:35 AM | Updated - 16 Mar 2026, 10:39 AM
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The third ODI between the Pakistan National Cricket Team and the Bangladesh National Cricket Team ended with huge drama and controversy in Mirpur on Sunday (March 15). A late review decision left the Pakistan camp extremely frustrated that they registered an official complaint against the umpire.
The Pakistan cricket team management claimed that the review process during the final moments of the three-match ODI series decider in Mirpur was not handled properly by the match official.
Pakistan lodge official complaint after controversial finish in 3rd ODI
They have lodged the complaint against the on-field umpire, Kumar Dharmasena, because they felt the rules around the Decision Review System were not followed correctly.
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As reported by ESPNcricinfo, Pakistan felt Bangladesh might have taken the review only after seeing the replay on the stadium’s big screen, something that is normally not allowed under standard match protocols.
The controversial moment unfolded during the second-last ball of the final ODI at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. The Men in Green were chasing a challenging target and needed 12 runs from two balls to clinch the series.
Pakistan question umpire Kumar Dharmasena’s DRS decision
At that time, Bangladesh spinner Rishad Hossain sent a flighted delivery that drifted down the leg side, away from Pakistan captain Shaheen Afridi. The ball went well past Afridi, and the umpire immediately called it a wide.
At that point, Pakistan received an extra run and still had two balls remaining, keeping their hopes alive in the dramatic chase. But within seconds, the Bangladesh players gathered together and decided to ask for an LBW review, which left everyone stunned.
The decision raised eyebrows because the ball clearly looked far away from Afridi’s legs. Pakistan’s frustration started growing when the big screen at the stadium showed a replay of the delivery before Bangladesh confirmed their review.
Bangladesh’s surprise LBW Review leaves Pakistan furious
Pakistan believes that this replay might have helped the Bangladesh players notice a possible edge from the bat. They also raised another concern, and that was about the 15-second time limit for taking a review. Since the broadcast did not show any timer, the touring side felt that Bangladesh didn’t take the review within the allowed time.
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When the DRS system checked the delivery, the Hawk-Eye revealed a small spike as the ball passed the bottom edge of Afridi’s bat. That slight contact meant the ball could not be counted as a wide anymore. Even though Bangladesh eventually lost the review itself, the wide call was reversed.
This call made the situation far tougher for Pakistan. Instead of needing 12 runs from two balls, they now had to score the same number from just one ball.
Bangladesh clinch ODI series as wide call reversed
On the final delivery, Afridi tried to swing hard but failed to connect properly. The wicketkeeper did his job, and Bangladesh won the match by 11 runs to secure a 2-1 ODI series win at home. Afridi’s frustration was clear over the dramatic finish.
Soon after the game, Pakistan management decided to officially raise the issue with match referee Neeyamur Rashid. Interestingly, this was not the only tense moment in the series. Salman Agha was involved in a heated incident after a run-out while trying to hand the ball back to Mehidy Hasan Miraz in the second ODI.
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