IND vs PAK: “Not Virat Kohli's Fault” – Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Shoaib Malik Furious Over On-field Umpires' No-ball Call In Final Over

Pakistan National Cricket Team legends Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Shoaib Malik were furious over on-field umpires Rod Tucker and Marais Erasmus’ no-ball call in the final over of the high-voltage India-Pakistan ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday, October 23.

On the 4th ball of the ridiculously thrilling final over of the T20 World Cup India-Pakistan high-octane clash, spinner Mohammad Nawaz delivered a high full-toss to Virat Kohli and the batter smashed the ball for a brilliant six over the deep square leg.

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Kohli instantly protested that it should be called a no-ball for being above the waist, and the on-field umpires made a late decision in India’s favour. The Babar Azam and Co. protested following the no-ball call, but the decision was retained.

Meanwhile, Pakistan National Cricket Team legends Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Shoaib Malik were not pleased with the on-field umpires’ decision and they felt that the umpires should have consulted the third umpire before making any decision.

During a conversation with A Sports after Pakistan’s 4-wicket defeat to India, Wasim Akram said it was not Kohli’s fault to ask for a no-ball and the umpires should have used the technology for making a decision. He also said that he would have surely raised an issue had he been part of the commentary panel.

“The ball seemed to dip but its kind of touch and go. To the naked eye, it did not seem like a no-ball but in slow-motion, it does seem like it dipped … Any batsman will turn and ask for no ball. That’s not his [Kohli]s] fault. Such a big game. You have technology. Use it. Why flare up things unnecessarily?” Akram said.

“Because we weren’t there. If me or Waqar were there, we would have spoken our mind there and then.”

If you look at the replays, Erasmus turns around to see the ball, after Virat Kohli asked for it… – Waqar Younis

Pakistan pace bowling great Younis accused that on-field umpires only made the decision after the India batter Kohli protested about it.

“When the ball is about waist-high, the square-leg umpire’s first reaction is that he takes his hand out, extends his right hand,” Younis said.

“He is an experienced umpire. That’s his natural reaction. But if you look at the replays, (Erasmus) turns around to see the ball. Then after Virat Kohli asked for it…”

“I am not saying and I don’t want to say it’s a no-ball or not, I don’t want to get into that controversy. But the umpire should have called it there and then. It was Virat Kohli’s right to ask for the no-ball and he should do it. The square-leg umpire should have consulted the main umpire and they should have gone upstairs. That’s why the third umpire is sitting there. It should have been left to him – he could call it no-ball, six whatever,” he added.

Shoaib Malik also felt that the third umpire should have been the one to make a decision on the no-ball. He said:

“When you have an option, you should take the help from the third umpire, especially in such a big match at a crunch situation. Anyone can make a mistake but they should have consulted the third umpire. If the decision was taken after the replays which we saw it would have been better.”

Also, Shoaib Akhtar hit out at the umpires for calling a no-ball with a tweet.

“Umpire bhaiyo, food for thought aaj raat k liye,” the former pacer tweeted.

Umpire bhaiyo, food for thought aaj raat k liye ? pic.twitter.com/vafnDG0EVd

— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) October 23, 2022

Meanwhile, former Pakistan National Cricket Team skipper Moin Khan was the one, who felt that Nawaz indeed bowled a no-ball to Kohli, but felt that the umpires should have consulted the third umpire. Speaking on Geo Super, he said:

“Replay show it was certainly a no ball but these decisions, the umpire should check with the third umpire. The mistake here is that they didn’t take help from third umpire,” he said.

Also Read: IND vs PAK: It Is Virat Kohli’s Best Knock Playing For India – Rohit Sharma Hails Kohli After T20 World Cup 2022 Win Over Pakistan