Asia Cup 2025: Fakhar Zaman Out Sparks Heated Debate Over Third Umpire Decision
Well, it was exactly what people expected. The India vs Pakistan match got caught up in another controversy. Last time, it was about a handshake that didn’t happen. This time, a tricky catch caused trouble making Fakhar Zaman angry and dividing opinions online. Unlike the match on September 14, Pakistan started strong this time. Saim Ayub got out for a golden duck last week, but Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar stayed in. If Abhishek Sharma had taken that simple catch, things might have turned out differently, but Pakistan got lucky.
Luck turned quickly in the third over. Hardik Pandya bowled an off-cutter, and Fakhar edged it. The ball went straight into Sanju Samson’s gloves. Samson was happy and celebrated. The on-field umpire sent the decision for a review. From the first camera angle, it seemed like the ball had bounced before reaching Samson’s gloves. But TV umpire Ruchira Palliyaguruge asked another umpire to check. This angle looked better for India. It seemed like the ball went straight into Samson’s mitts. It was one umpire against two, and Ruchira could have taken a closer look, but he didn’t.
Ruchira thought it was enough to give Fakhar out. When the decision appeared on the big screen, Fakhar was furious. He couldn’t believe the umpire had given him out. That’s when the controversy started. Not just Pakistani fans, but even some journalists said there was bias. They claimed that sometimes pitches are prepared to favor India or that the match referee helps them. And when that’s not true even the third umpire seems to be on India’s side.
Wickets ka 𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐃𝐈𝐊 swaagat, yet again 🤩
— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) September 21, 2025
Hardik Pandya nicks one off Fakhar Zaman 🔥
Watch #INDvPAK LIVE NOW, on the Sony Sports Network TV channels & Sony LIV.#SonySportsNetwork #DPWorldAsiaCup2025 pic.twitter.com/19fR5GiMn3
Fakhar Started Aggressively Against India’s Top Bowlers
With Fakhar’s wicket, Pakistan lost their first at 21 runs. After going back to the dressing room, the 35-year-old talked briefly with head coach Mike Hesson, who also looked unhappy with the decision. Former Pakistan fast bowler Waqar Younis, who took 789 wickets in 349 matches said this was a big wicket because Fakhar was playing aggressively and looking dangerous.
"Big wicket, massive wicket, because he was looking really good. That's why the dugout seemed so angry and unhappy with the third umpire's decision, who reviewed several replays before giving the verdict,” Younis said.
Fakhar, opening instead of Saim Ayub, started his innings with two powerful boundaries off Jasprit Bumrah in the second over. In the next over, he hit a nice four through the point region off Hardik before edging another ball from Hardik, which got him out. In the four matches so far in this Asia Cup, Fakhar has scored 105 runs, averaging 35 with a strike rate of 138.15. His highest score was 50 against the United Arab Emirates.
