5 times when umpires were the talking point in cricket matches

2. England vs Pakistan, Oval Test, 2006

The 2006 Test between England and Pakistan had its fair share of controversies. The match at the Kennington Oval in London ended in a bizarre way after the visitors forfeited the game. Darrel Hair, one of the on-field umpires, took the decision of ball-tampering against Pakistan.

He awarded five penalty runs to Pakistan on the fourth day’s play. Thereafter, Inzamam-ul-Haq refused to lead his team back on the field. 20 minutes later, the umpires awarded the match to the home team. Later Pakistan showed their willingness to play, but the umpires insisted that the result must stand.

Back in 2020, after nearly 15 years Inzamam stated that he took the decision for his country. He also talked about the controversial moments Hair had with the Pakistan team over the years. It was the first fortified Test in 1814 matches.