Picture Credit: PSL/PCB
The ongoing edition of the Pakistan Super League has been nothing short of action and drama so far. The fans witnessed another controversial incident on Tuesday during the PSL 2021 Eliminator 2 between Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi. After winning the toss, Zalmi skipper Wahab Riaz's side bowled brilliantly after United were put to bat first. While Munro and Wahab starred in the first half of the innings with bat and ball, respectively, the umpires got all the limelight for all the wrong reasons.
Umpires deny Peshawar Zalmi to get on a substitute fielder
The bizarre sequence of events started in the 12th over of the game. Zalmi's tall left-arm pacer Mohammad Irfan was sitting down the boundary line getting treatment from the physio as he looked in some pain. It was eventually decided that he won't be able to continue as Haider Ali was getting ready to come on as the substitute fielder. Interestingly, the umpires denied Zalmi to make the substitution.
The umpires were involved in a heated discussion with Zalmi's experienced duo of Wahab Riaz and Shoaib Malik regarding Irfan's injury. The main reason behind the same was that Irfan had already completed his bowling spell, conceding 21 runs in his quota of 4 overs taking 1 wicket. Since he is not a great fielder, the umpires suspected the injury as they reportedly thought of it as a plan to get on a better fielder.
Substitute fielder was finally allowed by the umpires
As they continued to play with 10 fielders, there was a strategic break after the 12th over. Umpire Aleem Dar was seen in an animated chat with Zalmi coach Darren Sammy as things started to escalate. After Irfan's injury was found to be genuine by the doctors, the umpires finally allowed Zalmi to get on the 11th fielder on the ground after some time. And interestingly, Khalid Usman was the substitute fielder for Mohammad Irfan instead of Haider Ali who was initially getting ready to come on the field.
With so much drama happening in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, it will be interesting to see the statements of the players, captains and the umpires after the match as Zalmi had to play with 10 fielders for about three overs in such a huge match of the tournament.