This collage of image exhibits India’s Sanju Samson amassing the ball on Pakistan’s Fakhar Zaman’s dismissal throughout the ACC Males’s T20 Asia Cup match and Pakistan skipper Salman Agha. — Livestream/screengrab/AFP
Pakistan’s T20I captain Salman Ali Agha has raised issues over the contentious dismissal of opener Fakhar Zaman throughout the Tremendous 4 conflict of the ACC Males’s Asia T20 Cup 2025 in opposition to India on the Dubai Worldwide Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
Addressing a press convention after Pakistan’s second successive defeat to India within the event, Agha voiced his reservations concerning the choice.
“I don’t know about the decision. As far as I am concerned, it looked like the ball bounced before being collected. Obviously, it’s the umpire’s job and they can make mistakes. I have no problem with that. But to me, it did look like it bounced,” said Agha.
“I might be wrong, I don’t know. The way Fakhar was batting, if he had continued through the powerplay, we could probably have scored around 190,” he added.
The incident passed off on the third supply of the third over of Pakistan’s innings. Fakhar Zaman tried to drive at an off-cutter from Hardik Pandya, edging the ball in the direction of wicketkeeper Sanju Samson.
This collage of image exhibits Pakistan’s Fakhar Zaman (left) reacting to his dismissal and India’s Sanju Samson amassing the ball throughout their ACC Males’s T20 Asia Cup match on the Dubai Worldwide Cricket Stadium in Dubai on September 21, 2025. — Livestream/screengrab
The supply, nonetheless, misplaced tempo off the pitch, forcing Samson to dive ahead to take the catch.
Given the shut proximity of the ball to the bottom on the level of assortment, the on-field umpires referred the choice to the third umpire. Fakhar, showing assured that the ball had touched the turf, waited for the decision.
After a number of replays from a number of angles, third umpire Ruchira Palliyaguruge adjudged Fakhar out. The left-hander stood momentarily in disbelief earlier than strolling again to the pavilion.
On his return, he was seen discussing the choice with head coach Mike Hesson, seemingly stunned on the end result.
The dismissal instantly ignited debate on social media, with followers and former gamers criticising the umpiring requirements within the high-profile encounter.
Former Pakistan cricketers Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Amir, and Fawad Alam have been amongst those that strongly condemned the choice, calling it “unacceptable” in a match of such magnitude.
In the meantime, India secured their second victory over Pakistan within the ongoing event.
Batting first, the inexperienced shirts posted 171-5 in 20 overs, however the males in blue efficiently chased down the goal in 18.5 overs with 4 wickets in hand, because of opener Abhishek Sharma’s match-winning knock of 74 off 39 balls.
For the unversed, India will face Bangladesh of their subsequent match on the similar venue on Wednesday.
