Asia Cup 2025: 'Unhone IPL me bhi toh umpiring karni hai' - Shahid Afridi takes massive dig at match officials after Fakhar Zaman's dismissal
Afridi questioned the integrity of the third umpire, mentioning that aspirations to officiate in the Indian Premier League (IPL) influenced the decision.
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Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi recently slammed the match officials of the Asia Cup 2025 Super Four clash between India and Pakistan in Dubai on Sunday, following Fakhar Zaman’s dismissal. Afridi questioned the integrity of the third umpire, mentioning that aspirations to officiate in the Indian Premier League (IPL) influenced the decision.
The incident took place in the third over of Pakistan’s innings when Fakhar Zaman, who had hit three boundaries in his knock of 15 off nine deliveries, was adjudged caught behind off Hardik Pandya. Indian wicketkeeper Sanju Samson dived forward to complete the catch, but replays indicated the ball might have bounced just before reaching his gloves.
The decision went upstairs, where the third umpire reviewed the footage. After checking only a couple of slow-motion angles, the umpire ruled in India’s favor. The opener was visibly frustrated as he walked back to the pavilion. The former Pakistan all-rounder claimed bias in the decision-making process.
"Unhone IPL me bhi toh umpiring karni hai [He has to umpire in the IPL too]," Afridi said on Samaa TV.
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Meanwhile, former Pakistan batter Mohammad Yusuf, also part of the TV discussion, stated that Fakhar’s dismissal was important.
"They didn't even check many angles. Fakhar had hit three fours and handled Bumrah with ease in the first over. His wicket was crucial for India," Yusuf said.
Furthermore, Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar called the umpire’s decision wrong and questioned why only two angles were checked when 26 cameras were available.
"Fakhar wasn't out. With 26 cameras available, why did the third umpire only check two angles? If Fakhar had stayed, the match might have turned," he had said.
Pakistan’s team manager, Naveed Akram Cheema, reportedly lodged an official complaint with the match referee and umpires, challenging the process that led to the southpaw's dismissal. According to reports, the Pakistan camp stated that the evidence was not clear and conclusive to justify the decision, and that the third umpire’s limited review unfairly favored the fielding team.