Multan Test: Pakistan Fans Blame Poor Umpiring Decisions For Loss In 2nd Test Against England

Several Pakistan fans including a journalist believe things could have been different had Saud Shakeel been given not out in the fourth innings of the Multan Test.

England's players celebrate after dismissal of Pakistan's Saud Shakeel (not pictured) during the fourth day of the second cricket Test match between Pakistan and England at the Multan Cricket Stadium in Multan on December 12, 2022.

Source : Aamir QURESHI / AFP

While England's first Test series in Pakistan in over one and a half decades was expected to be a tough challenge for Ben Stokes & Co., the Three Lions have made easy work out of it and have claimed the series with one Test match to go. The first Test match in Rawalpindi was all about England's attacking approach to Test match cricket and the "Bazball" effect which helped them win on a pitch tailor-made for a draw and it was expected that the hosts will come back strong in the second match. 

However, as it turned out, England were ready for the challenge even on a pitch where spinners were proving to be effective. And on what turned out to be the final day of the Multan Test, England also had the pace of Mark Wood which made the difference. Pakistan had their moments in the game but could not hold on it, eventually losing the match by 26 runs. 

The home fans though have not been able to digest the defeat. A video had gone viral previously in which they were criticising Babar Azam, calling him names like "ZimBabar", reacting to a different video now Pakistan fans are blaming poor umpiring decisions for their loss in the England Test.

Cotentious decision made by the umpires

Notably, with Pakistan running out of wickets in the final innings, Saud Shakeel, batting on 94, seemed to be one of their last hopes to snatch a win. However, the left-handed batter was given out caught behind by the umpire on what was a very tough call. While the on-field umpires consulted between themselves and gave a soft signal of out, the TV umpire did not find enough evidence to overturn that call.

Pakistan journalist Saj Sadiq, however, claimed that the ball had touched the ground before going into the keeper's gloves. Many fans seemed to agree.

"And that was the moment Pak downfall started. Otherwise the match was well within the grip," one user commented. 

"Not out. Benefit of doubt should go to batsman," wrote another.

Here is the video and some of the reactions on it:

I was watching the match live at that time.
Yes, you're right. It was indeed a poor decision.
And that was the moment Pak downfall started. Otherwise the match was well within the grip.

— Amir H. Qureshi (@AmirHQureshi) December 12, 2022

Not out. Benefit of doubt should go to batsman

— CricGIF (@Cricket_GIF) December 12, 2022

The final match of the Test series will commence at the National Stadium in Karachi on December 17.