Umpires goof up in spotting 21 no-balls on Day 2 of Gabba Test

Umpires not being able to spot no-balls have been a serious issue across the globe in various tournaments. The problem seemed to have persisted and the on-field officials are still missing out heavily in judging legitimacy of the delivery. Same has the case for Joel Wilson and Marais Erasmus in the first between Australia and Pakistan at the Gabba in Brisbane.

It was more so during the second day of the encounter. The duo missed out on spotting as many as 21 no-balls in a mere two sessions. One instance was seen when Naseem Shah got David Warner in the last ball of the 27th over in the Australian innings. The batsman found a thin inside edge and Mohammad Rizwan behind the wickets took a rather simple catch.

But replays showed that Shah had overstepped and hence, Warner got a reprieve and he went on to score a magnificent century. Previously, the 16-year-old Naseem, who was making his Pakistan debut, breached the bowling crease a couple of times. To his luck, the umpires failed to spot it. After 21 misses, it will be interesting to find how the ICC reacts to the errors.

Here is the video

This is astonishing.

Huge talking point & something the ICC HAS to look at.

21 no balls not called in two sessions…🙊 #AUSvPAK @7Cricket @7Sport pic.twitter.com/SAdFIWuGw4

— Trent Copeland (@copes9) November 22, 2019

Pakistan on the backfoot at the Gabba

The visitors, led by Azhar Ali, were bowled out for 240 at the fag end of the first day. The second day completely belonged to the Aussies and Pakistan were made to work hard. Warner and Joe Burns started the carnage and they stitched together a stand of 222 runs in 60.5 overs for the first wicket. Just when Burns was eyeing for a century with his score at 97, veteran Yasir Shah pinned him.

The leg-spinner bowled him around his legs to cut short his knock, laced with 10 fours. However, David Warner looked near flawless and didn’t allow the Pakistan bowlers to get under his skins. The Sydney talent remained unbeaten on 151 runs off 265 balls with the help of 10 fours.

After Burns got out, Marnus Labuschagne has put on 90 runs with Warner for the second wicket. Labuschagne is not out on 55 off 94 with Australia leading by 72 runs with three days left.