In a recent interview, an Indian cricket umpire, citing his extensive experience in cricket, claimed that Pakistani wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan used to engage in appeals very often.
Chaudhary, who had umpired in more than 50 internationals across formats, said that he had even cautioned other umpires about Rizwan’s behavior on the field.
He speaks a lot I even warned my other umpire as I said har ball pe chillata hai (He shouts on every ball), Chaudhary said while speaking to a youtube show ‘2 sloggers’.
The veteran umpire also took a dig at Rizwan for habitually putting some sort of balm on his lips and said, “Is not he the one who puts something like a lipstick?” He further continued, “He (Rizwan) keeps jumping like a pigeon”.
Chaudhary also shed light on the fact that good umpires are always in a position to distinguish between hard working wicketkeepers and cavalier ones with too many appeals. That seemed to say: “If the umpire is good, these keepers are losers,” he affirmed.
The comments follow Rizwan’s fine performance in Bangladesh’s uncompromising participation in the ongoing Test series. The Pakistani wicket-keeper played a stellar knock of 171 not out in the first innings of the first Test match, ensuring the team piled up a mammoth 448-6 declared against New Zealand.
But Bangladesh bounced back very well, and in the first innings, they gained a lead of 117 runs. Mushfiqur Rahim, who is Bangladesh’s most experienced player, put up a fantastic effort with a knock of 191, which is a record individual score for Bangladesh in Pakistan.
As the cricketing world continues to debate the merits of technology in the sport, Chaudhary had a message for players like Rizwan: Soon, a woman brought out the technology used by her, saying, ”Itne mein technology again hai, kyun apna beizatti karate ho? Ulta seeda nikla jayega toh log aap hi ka mazak udhayenge. ”
The umpire’s remarks have focused attention on the line between legitimate appeals and unadulterated gamesmanship in gentleman’s cricket.
