There are no second opinions that umpiring at domestic level in Pakistan needs huge improvement.
But when a senior player like Younis Khan, role model for future generations, withdraws from a national level tournament in protest over poor umpiring, it is deplorable.
Sources said an incensed senior batsman Younis withdrew from the ongoing Pakistan Cup in Faisalabad on Saturday after a conflict with umpires which resulted in a reprimand from the match referee, a fine of 50 percent of match fee and subsequently a notice.
“Younis was having problems with umpiring as he objected to some decisions in his team Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s first match against Islamabad but the flast point came in the second game against Punjab on Friday,” said sources.
The 38-year-old former captain was leading the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province team in the five-team one-day tournament but has left the city after he refused to attend a disciplinary hearing.
Sources said Younis was incensed at being given run out in his team’s match against Punjab on Friday.
“Television replays showed that Younis’s foot and bat were in the air and both on-field umpires Mohammad Sajid and Riazuddin asked tv umpire Shozab Raza for the decision who gave the out decision,” said sources.
“Younis argued with the umpires who showed him the replays but the senior batsman was angry and trudged towards the pavilion. Later in the match he was also critical of the umpiring decisions which were noticed by the match referee,” said sources.
Match referee Azizur Rehman reprimanded Younis who refused to attend the hearing. Rehman later issued a notice to Younis, noting that he could be fined in his absence.
KPK won the match in a last-ball sensational finish by two runs and later Younis spoke positively about the tournament and stressed that minor hiccups should be neglected as the tournament can prove that the country is safe for cricket.
KPK team management confirmed to the tournament organizers of Younis leaving the team and the city in protest.
Younis was not available for comments as both his mobile numbers were off. but his decision has left a lot to be desired and challenge the powers that be how they tackle with such a situation.
Younis last year also caused furore over his selection in one-day cricket, despite being cruelly short of runs in the 50-over format and then he further called trouble over being not invited for the Pakistan Super League inauguration.
He also took to media to show his resentment over not being treated well by coach Waqar Younis and presented his case for being Test captain once Misbah calls it a day.