COLOMBO – The use of technology to enable teams to challenge decisions by umpires at the World Cup is proving controversial, but Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi wants reviews to be doubled. The Umpire Decision Review System (UDRS) is being used for the first time at a World Cup, with some backing its use and others raising serious doubts. But one player who does not need to be convinced is Afridi. “I think UDRS is good,” said Afridi after Pakistan’s win over Canada on Thursday, when Pakistan picked up three dismissals with the use of the system after umpires Daryl Harper and Nigel Llong gave batsmen not out.
“I think one decision can change the whole match, so I think UDRS should be there. It should be raised to four from two, because two are proving less for us and in bigger matches this would be beneficial,” said Afridi. Two unsuccessful appeals mean you lose the right to any further challenges during an innings. Canadian captain Ashish Bagai was left fuming after the Pakistan match. “There was a bit of controversy over the use of it. Some go your way, some don’t,” said Bagai, who escaped an lbw decision before becoming a victim of the system when Afridi referred it to review. “They (umpires) have kept a mantra of relying on technology blindly and that is their decision. We got a couple today that we were boggled with but that’s what they have chosen, can’t do anything about that now,” said Bagai.
The most vociferous opposition to the UDRS has come from India, who have resisted its use in its home and away series. The use of the system requires the consent of both teams. Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni was furious that his side were denied an lbw following a review in their epic tie with England as batsman Ian Bell was deemed too far forward even though UDRS said the ball would have hit the stumps.
