KARACHI — Pakistan one-day captain Shahid Afridi has called for the introduction of a system to review umpire decisions in one-day matches, saying that one wrong decision can decide the outcome.
The International Cricket Council introduced the Umpire Decision Review System (UDRS) on a trial basis in Tests in June 2008, allowing teams to challenge on-field umpire decisions and refer them to a television umpire.
Teams have two opportunities per innings to contest an on-field decision, but the most contentious issue with the system is that hosts have to pay for the technology costs -- unacceptable to several countries.But Afridi said UDRS should be implemented in one-day matches to eliminate umpiring errors.
"I think the referral system is a must in one-day matches," Afridi told Geo television after his team's 121-run loss against England in the fifth and final one-day at Southampton, England on Wednesday.
During that match, opener Kamran Akmal's controversial leg-before decision from English umpire Ian Gould derailed Pakistan's run-chase of 257.The television replays showed Kamran edged the ball onto his pads.
England took the series 3-2.
"One decision can change the whole match, some leg-befores... and I am not talking of this match only, also in previous matches, and if such things (wrong umpiring decisions) happen then it changes the whole match," said Afridi.
England captain Andrew Strauss was given not out by West Indian umpire Billy Doctrove, despite a strong appeal by bowler Umar Gul and wicketkeeper Kamran.
Strauss, then 38, went on to make 126 as England, replying to Pakistan's 294 for eight, finished on 295 for six.
