Pakistan Team Director Blames Umpiring and Technology for Defeat Against Australia in Second Test

Mohammad Hafeez, the head coach and the director of the Pakistan cricket team, cited umpiring controversies and technological challenges as contributing factors to their 79-run defeat against Australia in the second test at Melbourne on December 29.

Pakistan seemed on track to level the series at 1-1, but after the crucial wicket of Mohammad Rizwan, the Australian team, led by pacer Pat Cummins, quickly wrapped up the tailenders, leaving Pakistan bowled out for 237 runs.

Mohammad Rizwan’s dismissal sparked controversy, occurring on the fourth ball of the 61st over by Pat Cummins. Attempting to dodge a short ball, Rizwan was struck on his lower right arm en route to wicketkeeper Alex Carey.

Although on-field umpire Michael Gough did not give him out, the Australians opted for a referral to TV umpire Richard Illingworth. Despite the on-field decision of not out, Richard Illingworth required conclusive evidence to overturn it.

While HotSpot showed no mark on the ball, the third umpire observed a distinct spike as it passed to Carey, attributing it to Rizwan dropping his wrists to avoid the delivery. The umpire’s decision was sufficient to declare him out, leading to Rizwan’s discontent as he argued the ball had struck his forearm rather than the wristband.

Speaking in the press-conference held after the match, here’s what Mohammad Hafeez had said:

“We made some mistakes as a team, we will take that. We will address those things. But at the same time, I believe inconsistent umpiring, technology curse really given as a result, which should have been different. So I feel like these are the areas that need to be addressed rightly.”

Australia has now taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series with the third and final match of the series set to be played on January 3 at Sydney Cricket Ground.