Pakistan cricket team defeated Sri Lanka to win the T20I tri-series. Pakistan won the title match by 6 wickets at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi on Saturday, November 29th. Sri Lanka set Pakistan a target of 115 runs, which they achieved with 8 balls to spare.

Controversy regarding a catch

Pakistan won the match, but the biggest issue in the title match was a controversial decision by the third umpire, which angered Pakistani players Fakhar Zaman and Shaheen Afridi. The Pakistani players clashed with the on-field umpire. This incident occurred in the 19th over of Sri Lanka’s innings. In that over, Shaheen Afridi bowled a slower delivery, and Sri Lankan captain Dasan Shanaka attempted a flick shot. The timing was poor, and the ball took the edge of his bat and went towards short third man. Fakhar Zaman, who was there, ran long and took a brilliant diving catch. The Pakistani players were convinced it was a clean catch and celebrated.

However, third umpire Rashid Riaz, after reviewing the replays several times, declared the batsman not out. Riaz believed the ball had touched the ground. This decision infuriated Fakhar Zaman. Shaheen Afridi also stared at the TV umpire’s box. The Pakistani players on the field were stunned.

However, the Pakistani team got the wicket of Dasun Shanaka on the very next ball. Shaheen Afridi bowled Shanaka with a slower delivery. Shaheen and Fakhar Zaman celebrated this wicket with great enthusiasm and mocked the earlier decision by gesturing towards the umpire’s box. Shaheen raised both his hands as if to tell the umpire, “Everything is fine now.”

Watch the controversial catch here

Sri Lanka were at 84 for 1 at one stage. However, they managed to add only 30 more runs before losing their remaining nine wickets. Kamil Mishara top-scored for Sri Lanka with 59 runs. Shaheen Afridi and Mohammad Nawaz took three wickets each for Pakistan. Babar Azam scored 37* and Sam Ayub scored 36 for the Pakistani team in the chase.