IND vs NED: "That Was Crucial Stage Of The Match, It Should Have Been Referred To The Third Umpire" - Former Pakistan Skipper Shahid Afridi Expresses His Opinion On No-Ball Controversy

India beat Pakistan by four wickets in their ICC T20 World Cup 2022 opening match at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday, October 23. The former Indian captain, Virat Kohli, scored an unbeaten 82 runs off 53 balls to anchor a 160-run chase that became tricky after India was reduced to 31 for 4.

The 33-year-old hammered a six off a waist-high length delivery in the final over against Mohammad Nawaz and it ended up being declared a no-ball. However, this gave Pakistan fans an opportunity to lash out at the umpires and accuse them of “cheating”. Some former cricketers have used it to gain social media engagement on their YouTube channels, and former speedster Shoaib Akhtar lashed out at the umpires on Twitter.

Former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi stated that the decision should have been referred to the third umpire instead of immediately declaring it a no-ball.

Third Umpire Could Have Been Better Judge – Shahid Afridi

“Jab se ye third umpire aya hai… Bohut sare run outs hai jaha pe on-field umpire bas signal kar dete hai third umpire k liye. Wo ek crucial situation tha, waha pe agar third umpire ko refer kar dete toh wo aapko bata dete but aapne fauran kar di no-ball ka ishara. Itni koi eagle eyes nahi hai aapki, third umpire ko refer kar sakte the.

“(There are many instances in the past when the umpires immediately signal for the third umpire for run-out appeals. That was a crucial stage of the match, it should have been referred to the third umpire, who could have been a better judge. You don’t have eagle eyes that you made a decision so quickly),” he said on Samaa TV.

Virat Kohli slammed Mohammad Nawaz off a chest-high full toss for six with India needing 13 off 3 balls. Kohli insisted on it before the on-field umpires declared it as a no-ball. Nawaz succeeded in dismissing Kohli on the next ball, but it was a free hit and the former India captain was safe.

Virat and Dinesh Karthik ran three byes as the ball went towards the third man. However, a controversy ensued when the Pakistan players, including captain Babar, argued with the umpire about whether the Indian team should be given runs or not. Finally, the on-field umpires ruled in favour of India.

Also read: IND vs NED: “Hardik Pandya Shayad Captaincy Ki Hai, IPL main, Usse Andaza Hota Hai Ki How He Handled The Pressure” – Former Pakistan Skipper Misbah-ul-Haq Heaps Praise On Hardik Pandya