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India defeated Bangladesh by five runs (D/L method) on Wednesday (2 November) to register their third win at the T20 World Cup 2022. But as is the case with the India-Bangladesh games, controversies emerged after the game. With Bangladesh vice-captain, Nurul Hasan accusing Virat Kohli of fake fielding, a debate started. Many questioned the umpiring while some criticized the Indian batter for his act.
A few then pointed to the no-ball call Marais Erasmus made after Virat Kohli gestured to the leg umpire. Bangladesh and Pakistan cricket team fans united to question Kohli’s involvement with the umpire. Pakistan fans also pointed out the no-ball call the leg umpire had made during the last-over thriller between India and Pakistan early in the tournament.
Now, a Pakistan legend himself has spoken about all this talk about Virat Kohli pressurising umpires to make decisions in his favour. Former Pakistan captain Waqar Younis has said that as Kohli is a player of big stature, the umpires feel the pressure when he asks for something and end up making controversial decisions.
“Shakib is saying you do your batting, let the umpires do their work. He is saying the same things that we said. That if you are going to call something, you are going to put pressure on the umpire, then of course he is a big name. So sometimes umpires are under pressure,” the ex-cricketer said during a discussion on A Sports.
Meanwhile, Wasim Akram, who was also on the panel, backed Kohli by saying that it’s natural for a player to demand from the umpire. “I think it’s a natural thing for the batsman, if they see a wide, they gesture to the umpire anyway. I don’t know the laws of today. Maybe a present player can tell us”, said Akram.
