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‘What was Faheem Ashraf thinking?’ — Questionable review leaves fans puzzled

Ashraf review
by Wisden Staff 2 minute read

Pakistan all-rounder Faheem Ashraf’s usage of the DRS system sparked quite a discussion among fans on Sunday, when he decided to use up a review after edging one to slips against New Zealand in Christchurch.

It just was that kind of a day: earlier, Shan Masood’s inexplicable DRS call was met with plenty of criticism, but Ashraf’s call to review a seemingly straightforward dismissal puzzled fans even further.

Ashrad had put together a half-century partnership with Azhar Ali, before the latter was dismissed by Matt Henry on 93. The all-rounder, who had made his highest Test score (91) in Mount Maunganui last week, once again looked good with the bat at No.7.

Ashraf went on to put up another decent stand with debutant Zafar Gohar, but just two runs shy of a half-century, he edged Kyle Jamieson to Ross Taylor at first slip. The on-field umpire wasted no time in raising his finger, but a puzzled Ashraf stood his ground and called for a review.

The replays clearly showed a thick edge that flew off the bat to first slip. Doubts over a potential bump ball cleared the ball was seen pitching well before it found the edge of Ashraf’s bat.

Fans were bemused by the review, to say the least.

The dismissal doesn’t take away the fact that the all-rounder’s batting has been a positive for Pakistan in the series. After hitting 91 and top-scoring for Pakistan in their first innings of the first Test, he looked excellent with the bat in Christchurch too, before the strange DRS call had fans questioning his judgement.

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