Shadab Khan sparks fresh debate on DRS, fumes over ‘technology mistake’ in PSL match

Islamabad United captain Shadab Khan has fueled the debate over the reliability of Decision Review System (DRS) technology. Many questions have been raised about the same in recent times and Shadab did not hesitate to raise his voice after United’s defeat to Quetta Gladiators in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2024 match.

Gladiators secured a three-wicket victory over United in a low-scoring encounter on Thursday (February 22). After the match, an irate Shadab vented his frustration by pointing out the technical error that played a role in their defeat. The spin all-rounder spoke about an lbw review of rival skipper Rilee Rossouw that gave Gladiators a reprieve while chasing 139 runs. He said that Hawk-Eye had tracked the wrong delivery while judging whether it was out or not.

“I think technology made a mistake. The ball-tracking showed a different delivery, and it was a match-changing moment. These sorts of things should be sorted out properly in such a big tournament. These mistakes should not happen. I bowled four overs here as a legspinner, and I don’t think the ball was spinning here. And they showed Agha [Salman]’s delivery hitting outside off stump and spinning away. I don’t buy that,” Shadab said.

The incident happened in the 11th over of Gladiators’ batting innings. On-field umpire Aleem Dar raised his finger after an lbw appeal was raised against Rossouw off the bowling of off-spinner Agha Salman. Gladiators’ skipper challenged the on-field decision, leading to a review. However, the ball tracking technology displayed a trajectory that did not match the actual delivery bowled by Salman and sparked controversy.

As far as match is concerned, United were asked to bat first after losing the toss and they could post just 138 on the board. Abrar Ahmed and Mohammad Wasim Jr picked three wickets each in the first innings. In reply, Gladiators crossed the finish line in 18.2 overs on the back of Jason Roy’s 18-ball 37, Rossouw’s 34 off 38 and Sherfane Rutherford’s 29 off 23.

Notably, earlier this week, in the third T20I between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan, Lankan skipper Wanindu Hasranga had voiced his opinion on the incorrect umpire decision. Ben Stokes, after England’s humiliating 434-run loss in the third Test in Rajkot, demanded a DRS rule change reflecting on opener Zak Crawley’s dismissal.