![Pakistan umpire commits a major blunder [Source: @iihtishamm, @WisdenCricket/x]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1770035419007_Pakistan.jpg?type=hq)
Pakistan umpire commits a major blunder [Source: @iihtishamm, @WisdenCricket/x]
The Pakistan cricket team walloped Australia by 111 runs in the third T20I to complete a 3-0 sweep in the three-match series. Blistering opener Saim Ayub, senior pro Babar Azam and all-rounder Shadab Khan all came to the fore with the bat for Pakistan before Mohammad Nawaz landed the knockout punch.
However, Pakistan’s dominant evening in Lahore on Sunday, February 1 is now been tainted by a huge controversial decision taken by a local umpire. The decision in question costed Australia a timely wicket as the visitors suffered a historic 0-3 whitewash against the ‘Men in Green’.
Pakistan umpire commits major Khawaja Nafay blunder
Chasing 208 in the third T20I, Australia slipped to 63-5 around the halfway stage of the innings. Josh Philippe and Mitchell Owen carved 19 runs together for the sixth wicket to restore some stability to Australia’s faltering run-chase.
However, Pakistan spinner Mohammad Nawaz trapped Phillipe as Australia lost its sixth wicket for just 82 on the board. A couple of deliveries later in the same 14th over, newcomer Cooper Connolly advanced down the track in a bid to work Nawaz towards his leg side.
Connolly ended up missing the ball, with Pakistan wicketkeeper Khawaja Nafay seemingly collecting it and dislodging the bails. With the Australian cricketer stranded well outside his crease, on-field umpire Nasir Hussain adjudged him out.
As it turned out, subsequent television replays indicated that the Pakistani wicketkeeper dislodged the bails with his left hand at a time when the ball was safely placed in his right glove. The glaring oversight on part of the Pakistani umpire ended up costing Australia a timely wicket as the visitors lost hard-hitting batting all-rounder in the decisive stage.
A series of howlers for Pakistan umpires
Even in the series-opening first T20I between the two sides last week, Nasir Hussain committed a couple of major blunders while reviewing a single decision as a third umpire.
During a review of Babar Azam’s LBW appeal, the umpire mistakenly said “pitching outside leg” even though the ball was pitching outside the off stump. A few moments later, Nasir Hussain declared Babar “out” and urged the on-field umpire to “stay with his decision”, even though the match official had originally declared the batter “not out” instead.
PAK vs AUS 3rd T20I: As it happened
Pakistan batted first and mounted 207-6 in 20 overs. Senior man Babar Azam compiled 50* runs off 36 balls while blistering opener Saim Ayub top-scored in the innings through his attacking 37-ball 56. Shadab Khan blasted 46 off just 19 balls in the slog overs with two boundaries and five huge sixes to provide late surge to his team.
In response, Australia folded up for just 96 in 16.5 overs to lose by 111 runs and concede the three-match T20I series 0-3 to the hosts. For Pakistan, Mohammad Nawaz skittled five Australian wickets at an expense of just 18 runs from his four overs. Shaheen Afridi also chipped in with two scalps with the new ball.
