In a Super-4 match of the Asia Cup 2025, India defeated Pakistan by 6 wickets. Pakistan had made several changes to their team for this match, most notably in their opening partnership. Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman opened for Pakistan. The start was promising, suggesting Pakistan’s strategy might work. However, in the third over, Fakhar Zaman was caught behind off a Hardik Pandya delivery, giving Pakistan their first setback. Following the match, Pakistan’s captain, Salman Agha, addressed the controversy surrounding Fakhar Zaman’s dismissal.
Salman Agha questioned the umpire’s decision after the match.
After the Super-4 match loss, Salman Agha raised questions about the umpire’s decision regarding Fakhar Zaman’s wicket. Before revealing what the Pakistan captain said, here’s what happened on the field. How was Fakhar Zaman out?
What happened with Fakhar Zaman?
It was the third over of Pakistan’s innings. The third ball of Hardik Pandya’s over edged off Fakhar Zaman’s bat and went straight to the wicketkeeper, Sanju Samson, who caught it. Samson appealed loudly. To determine if the catch was legal, the field umpire consulted the third umpire. The third umpire reviewed the footage from every angle and declared Fakhar Zaman out. The Pakistani batsman appeared surprised and unhappy with the third umpire’s decision.
Giving Fakhar Zaman out, was it the umpire’s mistake?
Fakhar Zaman seemed to be in good form, making his dismissal a significant setback for Pakistan. After the match, Salman Agha was questioned about the dismissal, to which he responded that, for him, the ball bounced before going into the wicketkeeper’s hands. He suggested that the umpire might have made an error.
This is a recurring issue for the Pakistani team.
This is the second instance in the Asia Cup 2025 where the Pakistani team has lamented their defeat in this manner. After the defeat in the group stage, the Pakistani team, questioning the third umpire’s decision, demanded the removal of the match referee. This clearly reveals a pattern for Pakistan. As for Fakhar Zaman’s dismissal, he was clearly out, as the ball did not bounce before landing in the wicketkeeper Sanju Samson’s hands.