Reports: No DRS in Pakistan-New Zealand series as BCCI hire system operators for IPL's UAE leg

Pakistan are scheduled to play limited-overs series against New Zealand starting on September 17. But the eight white-ball matches scheduled will likely be played without the Decision Review System (DRS). If reports are anything to go by, then India have apparently hired system operators of DRS for the second half of the 14^th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) scheduled to begin on September 19 in the UAE.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have apparently paid four times more than what Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) were paying them. Pakistan’s ODI and T20I series is beginning just two before the start of UAE leg IPL and during such short notice, PCB were unable to get DRS service from Australia and other top countries. Also, only International Cricket Council (ICC) approved DRS crews can be used during any tournaments, which makes PCB likely to play the series without one.

“It is important to have ICC-approved DRS operators in international events and operators were not available during the period, that is why the PCB has dropped DRS from the series,” a source had told Geo News earlier.

PCB optimistic to arrange DRS

The PCB are optimistic about getting DRS services in place for the white-ball games. After the New Zealand series, Pakistan are also set to face England for a limited-overs series set to be played before the ICC T20 World Cup. However, if sources are to be believed then putting a DRS in store for the England series also looks a bit challenging for time being.

The DRS has been in place since November 2009 in Test marches, and it was made mandatory in 2017 in the shortest format. Although there is still a debate whether it’s full proof, the ICC has made it compulsory at least in Men’s games to have DRS in place. In the limited-overs format, each team gets two chances to challenge the decision made by the on-field umpire.

New Zealand will be without the services of  Kane Williamson, Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Kyle Jamieson, Mitchell Santner, and James Neesham, as they will be away due to their participation in the IPL. The players made themselves unavailable after New Zealand Cricket (NZC) granted them permission to partake in the league.