PSL 2024: Hawk-Eye issues an apology to PCB over Rilee Rossouw's Lbw dismissal row

In a recent turn of events, Hawk-Eye, the much-relied-upon technology in cricket, has issued an apology to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for a critical error during Islamabad United's recent match against Quetta Gladiators.

The controversy unfolded during the 11th over of Gladiators' innings when captain Rilee Rossouw faced a contentious decision. Umpire Aleem Dar gave him out, and a confident appeal from the fielding side led to a swift review. However, Hawk-Eye's analysis not only revealed that the ball hit Rossouw outside the line but also indicated it would have missed the off stump.

The revelation, displayed on the big screen, left both the fielding side and umpire Dar visibly surprised. The slow-motion replay seemed to defy the laws of physics, showing the ball straightening instead of the expected spin. Static images further suggested a mismatch between where the ball hit Rossouw's pad and Hawk-Eye's tracking.

In a letter addressed to PCB's Chief Operating Officer Salman Naseer and the Production Department, Hawk-Eye admitted the discrepancy, acknowledging that the ball tracking did not accurately represent the actual delivery in question. The cause of this error remains unknown still.

I think technology made a mistake: Shadab

After the match, Islamabad United's captain, Shadab Khan, expressed dissatisfaction with the technology, claiming an error in ball-tracking during a crucial moment. Shadab emphasized the need for proper resolution of such issues in major tournaments and questioned the accuracy of the displayed delivery, particularly concerning Salman Ali Agha's delivery hitting outside off stump.

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"I think technology made a mistake. The ball-tracking showed a different delivery, and it was a match-changing moment. These sorts of things should be sorted out properly in such a big tournament. These mistakes should not happen. I bowled four overs here as a legspinner, and I don't think the ball was spinning here. And they showed Agha [Salman]'s delivery hitting outside off stump and spinning away. I don't buy that," Shadab was quoted as saying by ESPN Cricinfo.

Adding to the tension, the match was finely poised, with Gladiators rebuilding after losing four early wickets. Rossouw, partnered with Sherfane Rutherford, created a game-changing 62-run partnership. Despite United's belief in exploiting the Gladiators' vulnerable tail, the duo steered their team to victory, leaving Islamabad United on the losing side and questioning the reliability of technology in crucial game situations.

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