‘What a joke…’: Pakistan star cricketer slams umpiring after Fakhar Zaman’s controversial dismissal

Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar criticized the umpiring in the Asia Cup 2025 Super Four match against India, in which Fakhar Zaman was controversially dismissed. Akhtar believed that had Fakhar survived, the outcome might have been different. Pakistan lost by six wickets at the Dubai International Stadium, marking their second defeat to India in the current competition.

The event occurred on the third ball of the third over after Pakistan was asked to bat first in the high-voltage encounter. Hardik Pandya delivered an off-cutter as Fakhar attempted a shot on the off side, but the ball took a faint outside edge. It flew to wicketkeeper Sanju Samson, though Fakhar was convinced it had touched the ground before reaching the gloves.

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The decision was sent upstairs, where the third umpire zoomed in to inspect the ball, which appeared very close to the ground before entering the gloves. The third umpire was eventually convinced, leaving the batter in shock, wandering in confusion before returning to the dugout.

Speaking on the Pakistani channel Tapmad, Akhtar was outraged by the umpire’s judgment on Fakhar, calling it shocking and unfair. He stated that if the batsman had stayed, the match against India could have turned out very differently. He even challenged the ICC to review footage from all 26 camera angles.

“Fakhar wasn’t out. If there was a split decision on the review, the benefit of the doubt should have gone his way. But what are the chances that they check it using the midwicket camera? There are 26 cameras, but somehow the right angle isn’t available. Wow! And then they just looked at two angles and gave him out. Who knows, if Fakhar had stayed at the crease, the match might have turned out differently. Umpiring standard was a joke. The ball clearly hit the ground first. The glove was not underneath at all,” he said.

Pakistan got off to a fantastic start after being put to bat first, scoring 23 runs in the opening 15 balls before Fakhar was dismissed. However, fellow opener Sahibzada Farhan’s half-century enabled Pakistan to set a 172-run target.

The Indian openers dominated the Pakistan bowlers with a 105-run stand, before Tilak Varma sealed the chase with seven balls to spare.