Shadab Khan vindicated as Hawk-Eye admits DRS error

Hawk-Eye has confirmed to the Pakistan Cricket Board it made a human error while declaring Rilee Rossouw as not out against Salman Ali Agha in the Quetta Gladiators versus Islamabad United match in the HBL Pakistan Super League 9 at the Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday.

Hawk-Eye has admitted the system had correctly tracked the delivery in question for the Decision Review System (DRS), showing the impact as umpire’s call and wickets as hitting. However, due to an operator error, incorrect ball tracking data was put to air, which meant an incorrect outcome was reached.

“Had processes been followed as expected, this (correct ball tracking data) would have been available only a few seconds after the incorrect data was played on broadcast,” Hawk-Eye explained, while also offering its regrets.

Following the match, United's captain, Shadab Khan, expressed frustration at the DRS technology, attributing their defeat to its error.

"I think technology was at fault for this loss. We were shown a different ball as to the review (the review of Rossouw). I bowled 4 overs as a leg spinner, it wasn't turning much. This one showed impact outside off and spinning away further. In a big tournament like this, there shouldn't be such mistakes," Shadab said.

Hawk-Eye is the International Cricket Council’s only approved technology for ball tracking, which was first trialed in 2008 and has since been part of the DRS.

It is worth noting that Gladiators emerged victorious by three wickets, securing their third win in the tournament.