The high-voltage India–Pakistan clash in the Asia Cup 2025 has taken a fresh twist off the field. Pakistan’s team management has officially lodged a complaint with the International Cricket Council (ICC) over the dismissal of opener Fakhar Zaman, a decision that has stirred heated debate among fans and former players alike.
The moment of controversy
The incident occurred early in Pakistan’s innings, on the third ball of the third over. Fakhar nicked a delivery from Hardik Pandya, forcing Indian wicketkeeper Sanju Samson to dive forward in an attempt to collect the low ball.
While the on-field umpires weren’t entirely convinced, the matter was referred upstairs. Third umpire Ruchira Palliyaguruge, after multiple replays, ruled Fakhar out caught behind. The decision left Fakhar visibly stunned as he walked back, shaking his head in disbelief.
Inside the dressing room, he was seen in animated conversation with head coach Mike Hesson, seemingly voicing his astonishment at the call.
Pakistan escalate to ICC
According to reports, team manager Naveed Akram Cheema first approached match referee Andy Pycroft to protest the ruling. When told that it was beyond the referee’s authority, he escalated the matter to the ICC’s umpires’ manager.
Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha, speaking after the game, admitted he too had doubts:
“As far as I am concerned, it looked like the ball bounced before being collected. Obviously, umpires can make mistakes, but to me, it did look like it touched the ground.”
He went further, suggesting Fakhar’s wicket changed the complexion of the innings:
“The way Fakhar was batting, if he had carried on through the powerplay, we could have been looking at 190.”
Ex-players and fans erupt
The decision has not gone down quietly. Former cricketers and fans voiced strong criticism of the umpiring standards.
- Fawad Alam fumed on X: “Seems like we are playing against 14, not 11. Fakhar was clearly not out!”
- Mohammad Amir kept it short: “Fakhar was not out, that’s the tweet.”
- Mohammad Hafeez struck a more pragmatic tone: “Team Pakistan need to play A+ game to beat team India & on field umpiring.”
Social media timelines across Pakistan lit up with clips of the dismissal, slowed down and analysed frame by frame, with many insisting the ball had touched the ground.
Another twist in a fierce rivalry
Controversies are nothing new when India and Pakistan meet, but this one has added an extra edge. For Pakistan, it is not just about losing a key batter early; it is about the perception of fairness on cricket’s grandest stage.
The ICC has yet to issue any official response, but with the complaint lodged, this saga could extend well beyond the Asia Cup’s group stage headlines.
For now, the Fakhar Zaman decision has given fans one more chapter to argue over in cricket’s most scrutinised rivalry.
