PCB to write to ICC about ‘poor’ umpiring decisions

PCB to write to ICC about ‘poor’ umpiring decisions



By Abdul Mohi Shah

LEEDS: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) would write a letter to the International Cricket Council (ICC) on controversial umpiring decisions on Friday’s opening day that denied the visitors an early charge of the third Test match here at Headingley.

A source within the national team confirmed to ‘The News’ that the matter would be raised with the ICC through a letter to be written shortly.

Pakistan were rocked by a series of bad decisions by Billy Doctrove and Darrell Hair on the first day of the Test.

Australian umpire Hair and West Indian Doctrove refused to give England batsmen out on no less than four occasions during the first half of the day.

“The PCB is planning to write a letter to the ICC complaining about the poor decisions of both umpires that ruined Pakistan chances of bowling out opposition cheaply,” a source in the team management said.

England easily could have been 80 for four had Kevin Pietersen (who went on to score a hundred) and Andrew Strauss were given out on clear snicks.

Pakistan were against deputing Hair in Test matches and even had requested the ICC not to appoint im for the winter series against England.

However, this is the second time in succession that Hair was asked to officiate matches involving Pakistan.

“Both umpires have ruined Pakistan’s chances of bowling out England cheaply in the first innings here. Had the two batsmen were given out at that time, Pakistan would have had a tight grip on the match,” an official said.

When ‘The News’ approached PCB chairman Shaharyar M Khan, who was here in Headingley to watch Mohammad Yousuf and Younis Khan piling up the agony on England, he said the matter would be raised with the ICC.

“Look I do not want to say anything at this point but when the proper time comes we would do something in this regard,” he said.

However, the PCB chief was clearly upset and said that the PCB earlier did make a request to the ICC not to depute one of the umpires to officiate in a match during the winter home series against England.

Shaharyar said there must be some sort of way out from these controversies. “We suggested for the help of technology instead of giving right of appeal to the players or captain of the fielding team. The umpires should be trusted but they must show flexibility and should have the courage to refer each and every controversial decision to the third umpire,” he said.

Shaharyar said technology is there for the help. “If there is a provision of technology why not make the best use of it,” he said.

Let's hope they actually do write the letter.