LAHORE – Pakistan offspinner Saeed Ajmal is perplexed over how the Decision Review System (DRS) overturned on-field umpire Ian Gould’s lbw ruling against Sachin Tendulkar during the World Cup semi-final against India in Mohali.
Gould ruled Tendulkar lbw off Ajmal in the 11th over, but the batsman reviewed the decision. Replays showed that the ball pitched in line but according to Hawk Eye the ball was missing leg stump and the decision was overturned. “I don’t know how the TV replays showed my delivery turning towards the leg side because I had bowled an arm ball and it went straight,” Ajmal said on the team’s arrival in Lahore.
“I was 110 per cent confident when the referral was made that the batsman was out.” Tendulkar was on 23 at that point, and survived four dropped chances before he was dismissed after making a crucial 85 that earned him the Man of the Match award. Ajmal picked up two wickets and said that he was happy with his bowling performance but disappointed that Pakistan lost the high-voltage clash to India by 29 runs.
“All of us were very disappointed at losing the match because there was so much interest and hype attached to it. But in cricket one team has to lose and one has to win,” he said.
