Pakistan cricket team officials have lodged an official complaint against Sri Lankan umpire Kumar Dharmasena following a dramatic series loss to Bangladesh, alleging the official violated protocols during a crucial moment in the match.
Pakistan suffered a heartbreaking 11-run defeat in the series-deciding third ODI at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka, failing to chase down a target of 291 runs despite a brilliant century from Salman Ali Agha. The controversy erupted during the final over bowled by Rishad Hossain with Pakistan needing 14 runs to win. After managing only two runs from the first four deliveries, the visitors required 12 from the last two balls.
On the fifth delivery, umpire Dharmasena initially signaled a wide, but Bangladesh players Rishad Hossain and Litton Das immediately opted for a review. UltraEdge later confirmed a clear spike as the ball passed the bat, confirming the delivery was legal.
According to ESPNcricinfo, Pakistan management lodged their protest with match referee Neeyamur Rashid based on two specific grievances. The primary complaint centers on the timing of the review, with Pakistan officials claiming Bangladesh only decided to challenge after watching a replay of the delivery on the stadium’s big screen. Standard protocols strictly require reviews to be requested before any replays are shown, as the footage could unfairly influence the decision-making process.
Additionally, Pakistan raised concerns about whether the review was requested within the mandatory 15-second window. With no timer visible on the broadcast, confirming the exact timing of the review request proved impossible, adding another layer of controversy to an already tense finish.
The complaint adds yet another chapter to the long-standing rivalry between these two Asian cricketing nations, with umpiring decisions once again taking center stage in a high-stakes encounter.
