Asia Cup 2025: PCB lodges complaint with ICC over Sanju Samson's controversial catch

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly lodged an official complaint with the International Cricket Council (ICC) for the TV Umpire's decision to rule Fakhar Zaman out on Sanju Samson's controversial catch in the India vs Pakistan match of the ongoing Asia Cup 2025 on Sunday at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The incident took place during the first innings, as the Pakistani opener edged the third ball of the third over bowled by Hardik Pandya behind the stumps, as the Indian keeper claimed the catch.

However, the on-field umpires Ahmad Shah Pakteen and Gazi Sohel sent the matter upstairs where the TV Umpire Ruchira Palliyaguruge took multiple replays to confirm that Samson actually had his gloves underneath the ball, taking a catch at zero-degree from the ground level. As a result, Zaman had to make his walk back with a dejected look. Now, sources have confirmed that the PCB have expressed disappointment over Palliyaguruge's call, thereby lodging an official complaint with the ICC, according to Dunya News.

As Zaman walked back to the dressing room, the head coach Mike Hesson also looked dejected by the decision taken by the umpiring team, leading to the fall of the first wicket for the Men in Green in the all-important encounter, which they eventually lost by six wickets. Pakistan had posted 171 in their 20 overs, which the Men in Blue were able to chase down with six wickets to spare and seven balls remaining.

Umpire's decision is final: Salman Agha

Salman Agha, the Pakistan captain, also expressed disbelief and reiterated the emotion within the dressing room that the ball had actually touched the grass before landing in Sanju Samson's gloves. However, he also said that the team agrees with whatever the call that was eventually made. 

“Umpires can make mistakes. But it did look like it bounced ahead of the keeper to me. I might be wrong. The way (Fakhar) was batting, if he had batted through the powerplay, we would probably have scored 190. But those are calls for umpires to make. To me, it looked like it bounced before the keeper. I might be mistaken, but so might be the umpire. We felt the ball touched the ground, but the umpire’s decision is final,” the Pakistani skipper had said in the post-match press conference.

Agha & Co. will now be concentrating on their upcoming game against Sri Lanka, which is set to be played on Tuesday, September 23 at the Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi.