'26 cameras but somehow right angle isn't...': Shoaib Akhtar slams 3rd umpire for Fakhar Zaman's dismissal

Shoaib Akhtar fumes at ‘ridiculous umpiring’, insists Fakhar Zaman was not out against India. (Photo: X)

Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar was furious on Sunday over the subpar umpiring in the Asia Cup 2025 Super Four match against Pakistan, where Fakhar Zaman was controversially dismissed.

Akhtar believed that the outcome might have been different if Fakhar had survived. For the seventh consecutive match in international cricket and the second consecutive time in the current tournament, Pakistan lost to India by six wickets at the Dubai International Stadium.

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The flashpoint came on the third ball of the third over after Pakistan were asked to bat first in the high-voltage clash. Hardik Pandya delivered an off-cutter that Fakhar Zaman tried to steer through the off side, only to get a faint edge. The ball carried to wicketkeeper Sanju Samson, but Fakhar insisted it had bounced before reaching the gloves.

The decision was referred upstairs, where the third umpire closely examined the replay, zooming in as the ball appeared perilously close to the ground before reaching the gloves. After a detailed check, he ruled it out, leaving Fakhar stunned. The opener lingered in disbelief for a moment before reluctantly walking back to the dugout.

Speaking on Pakistani station Tapmad, Akhtar expressed his anger at the umpire's decision about Fakhar, describing it as abrupt, startling, and wholly unjust. The result of the India match might have been drastically different if the batsman had stayed, he continued. He even challenged ICC to display video from every one of the 26 camera angles.

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"Fakhar wasn’t out. If there was a split decision on the review, the benefit of the doubt should have gone his way. But what are the chances that they check it using the midwicket camera? There are 26 cameras, but somehow the right angle isn’t available. Wow! And then they just looked at two angles and gave him out. Who knows, if Fakhar had stayed at the crease, the match might have turned out differently. Umpiring standard was a joke. The ball clearly hit the ground first. The glove was not underneath at all," he said.

After being put to bat first, Pakistan did get off to a strong start, scoring 23 runs in the first 15 balls before Fakhar left. But Pakistan set a target of 172 runs thanks to the half-century of fellow opener Sahibzada Farhan.

Tilak Varma delivered the final blows to seal the chase with seven balls to spare after the Indian openers thrashed the Pakistani bowlers with their 105-run partnership.