Pakistan cricket fans have been left wondering why one of the most essential tools in modern cricket—the Decision Review System (DRS)—has been missing from two major events: the Pakistan Super League (PSL) X and the ongoing T20I series against Bangladesh in Lahore.
Now, new details are emerging that point to a deeper and more troubling issue behind the scenes.
The Hawk-Eye system, the core technology behind DRS, simply never made it to Pakistan. According to a sensational claim by Qadir Khawaja, the company refused to send its technical team, citing “security concerns” despite assurances from the PCB.
Local sources suggest that Jay Shah, the powerful Chairman of the ICC and also a key figure in the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), may have played a role in this decision. The belief is that behind-the-scenes pressure may have been applied to undermine cricketing events in Pakistan, particularly during a high-profile time like the PSL and the international series buildup.
If true, this raises serious concerns about the fairness and independence of cricket governance at the global level.
DRS is more than just a luxury at this point; it’s become a standard in international cricket. Whether it’s an LBW appeal, a thin edge to the keeper, or a catch taken low to the ground, teams and players rely on this technology to help umpires get crucial decisions right.
Without it, matches can easily swing on umpiring errors, and the integrity of the contest can come into question.
So far, neither Hawk-Eye nor the ICC has publicly commented on the reports of external pressure or provided clarity on whether the system will return to Pakistan for future fixtures. The PCB, meanwhile, is expected to raise the issue through formal channels—possibly even with the ICC—once the Bangladesh series concludes.
In the meantime, fans and players are left without a vital tool, and a bigger question hangs in the air: Is cricket truly being played on a level field?
This controversy comes at a time when Pakistan and India are locked in a battle on every front. If the reports turn out to be true, it reflects poorly on an international organisation that claims equality but may be powerless behind the scenes with an egomaniacal head leading it.