Misbah comes out in support of DRS

Believes technology will make the sport error-free.

KARACHI:

Pakistan captain Misbahul Haq has joined the growing brigade of current and former players who have backed the use of the Decision Review System (DRS) in Test and One-Day Internationals (ODI) after the International Cricket Council (ICC) decided to make the system mandatory, according to ESPNcricinfo.

Misbah said he had found the technology beneficial to both players and umpires.

“From my personal experience, I have found the system very useful as it gives the batting and fielding side a second chance if the umpires are having a bad day,” Misbah was quoted as saying. “If you look at it positively, it reduces the pressure on umpires.

“I am all for any technology that makes the sport error-free and gives more options to competing teams and players. Obviously, with every new technology, there will be hiccups but once the technology gets better, it will become more effective for teams.”

The Pakistan captain also came out in favour of other ICC recommendations that were agreed upon in the recently-concluded meeting of the governing body, according to the report. These recommendations included the proposed changes in ODIs, such as using two new balls at each end, allowing two bouncers per over and limiting the use of Powerplay overs between the 16th and 40th overs.

“ODIs are a staple diet of cricket and there was a need to bring some innovative changes. As it is, the ball had to be changed after 34 overs and it was about time bowlers were given more space in limited-overs cricket.”





Published in The Express Tribune, July 8^th, 2011.