Pakistan all-rounder Aamer Jamal has put the blame on DRS (decision review system) for the dismissal of Babar Azam during the first day of the Sydney Test against Australia.
Aamer Jamal, who scored a brilliant counter-attacking innings of 82 runs off 97 balls on the first day, talked about Babar Azam’s dismissal earlier in the day.
Babar Azam was playing at 26, when Australian skipper Pat Cummins bowled a big inswinger that hit the pad first, then the bat. The on-field umpire wasn’t convinced and gave it not-out. However, Australia asked to review the decision. The decision was sent to the third umpire and the replays showed that it hit the bat after the pad and it would have gone on to hit the leg-stump.
It was the third time during this series that Pat Cummins dismissed Babar Azam with an inswinging delivery.
A HOOPING in-dipper!
Cummins gets Babar again! #PlayOfTheDay | @nrmainsurance | #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/ToZ9CaQyHb
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 3, 2024
However, the controversial decision left Pakistan fans fuming as they thought this could have been not-out on umpires’ call.
Aamer Jamal also voiced the same sentiments during the press conference after the stumps on day one. He appreciated Babar Azam’s batting today and termed his dismissal ‘unlucky’.
Aamer Jamal says Babar Azam was unlucky and it could have been umpire's call on DRS 👀
Will Mohammad Hafeez come out and blame it as a technology failure once again? #AUSvsPAK pic.twitter.com/cDkiyDZZ2K
— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) January 3, 2024
Notably, Pakistan’s team director Mohammad Hafeez also criticized the umpiring and technology after his team’s loss in the last Test.
“We made mistakes as a team but even umpiring and technology had flaws in the second game. The result would have been different had things went in our favour,” said Mohammad Hafeez.
🗣️ "This technology is basically putting a curse on this beautiful game of cricket."
Mohammad Hafeez spoke about "inconsistent umpiring and technology curse" in the MCG Test.#AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/vazVGbUbzX
— Grassroots Cricket (@grassrootscric) December 29, 2023
Hafeez’s comments came in the wake of a crucial umpiring decision that led to the dismissal of Mohammad Rizwan off Cummins’ bowling.
Pakistan needed 98 runs with 5 wickets in hand when Mohammad Rizwan was given out by the third umpire. The ball hit the wristband of Rizwan’s glove and Alex Carey took a brilliant catch behind the stumps.
Michael Gough turned down Australia’s appeal and Pat Cummins went for the DRS. The third umpire, Richard Illingworth, found evidence that led to overturning the on-field decision, resulting in Rizwan’s dismissal.
Stay tuned to Brandsynario for the latest news and updates.