Pakistan claimed they were the better side in the Boxing Day Test but believe skill decided the outcome of Australia’s 79-run win.
Pakistan coach Mohammad Hafeez has launched a scathing attack on the Boxing Day Test umpires, claiming his team’s defeat against Australia was only because technique decided the match.
In a fiery postscript to Australia’s 79-run victory on Friday, the former Pakistan spinner questioned the consistency of match-making. He was also particularly upset by Mohammad Rizwan’s dismissal of the match, insisting he should not have fallen behind late in the chase.
“Our Pakistan team performed better overall than other teams,” Hafeez said. “We batted with better intention and our bowling hit the right areas.
“Yes, we made some mistakes that cost us the game. But as a team, I believe there were a lot of right positives within the team to win the game. I believe the inconsistent officiating and technical curse really gave We should have had a different outcome.”
Hafeez did admit that Pakistan failed to help themselves with several mistakes, including Abdullah Shafiq’s crucial error against Mitchell Marsh on day three. But he also called for the umpires’ penalties for ball-tracking LBW decisions to be scrapped as Pakistan made the wrong decision four times in the defeat.
“We play this game for the fans, and the fans will never understand why the technology is inconsistent,” Hafeez said. “We have played this wonderful game of cricket based on the fundamentals of the game, but sometimes technology brings decisions that we humans cannot understand. The ball that hits the stumps is always out. Why is this a call from the umpire, I never understood.”
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In a test match filled with drama, the flashpoint came when Rizwan was dismissed by Pat Cummins as Pakistan chased 5-219 to win by 317. Rizwan was initially not out before the third umpire ruled the ball to be handed to wicketkeeper Alex Carey with a wristband on his gloves.
The Pakistan batsman immediately protested, pointing to a mark on his forearm where he believed the ball had hit him. This became the turning point of the game as Pakistan lost 5-18 in 6.4 overs and ended up trailing 2-0.
“He (Rizwan) is a very honest man and he said to me that he didn’t even feel it touching anywhere near the glove,” Hafeez said. “There should be conclusive evidence to overturn the umpire’s decision… but there is no very conclusive evidence. Technology has basically put a curse on the beautiful game of cricket.”
Australia captain Cummins had a blunt response to Hafeez’s claims that Pakistan were denied victory as the better team. “Cool. Yeah, they played well, but glad we won,” he said. “It doesn’t really matter, does it? It’s the team that wins in the end.”
Cummins also defended officiating in the game and the use of technology throughout the sport after he was awarded a controversial underdog earlier on Friday. “We don’t completely agree (with what Hafez said),” he said.
“I mean, it’s not a perfect science, is it DRS or is it the referees? Some will go your way and some won’t. Several referees called both teams. I think everything will work itself out. . I think the score of this game is 50-50, so there’s nothing that worries us too much.”
