Controversial third umpire call on Fakhar Zaman sparks ‘not out’ trend online

“Not out” has become a trend on social media after the controversial decision by the third umpire regarding Pakistani opener Fakhar Zaman in the high-octane match against arch-rival India in the Super Four round of Asia Cup 2025 in Dubai.

Cricket spectators on social media have strongly criticised the third umpire’s controversial decision of giving Fakhar Zaman out despite that the ball had touched the ground before being caught by the Indian wicket keeper.

On the other hand, an Indian journalist could not remain quiet as Indian journalist Rahul Rawat said that it seemed that Fakhar Zaman has been given out wrongly.

He said “It seems as ball touches the ground before going to gloves of Indian wicket keeper”.

More comments regarding the wrong decision on the social media as Pakistani cricketer Fawad Alam said ” It looks as if we are playing against 14 people instead of 11.”

Whereas singer Ali Zafar said that Fakhar Zaman was given wrong out while he also congratulated the team for a good batting performance.

India won the September 14 group match by seven wickets in Dubai and afterwards refused to shake hands with their opponents, angering Pakistan.

It was the first meeting between the neighbours since a four-day cross-border conflict in May left more than 70 people dead.

The Pakistan Cricket Board lodged a protest with the International Cricket Council alleging that match referee Andy Pycroft had told skipper Salman Agha not to approach Indian counterpart Suryakumar Yadav for a handshake at the toss.

The PCB demanded Pycroft be removed from their matches and threatened to withdraw from the eight-team Twenty20 competition.

Their last group game was held up for an hour before the PCB said Pycroft had apologised and the match, with the Zimbabwean in charge, eventually went ahead.

Pakistan beat hosts, the United Arab Emirates to qualify for the next stage, the Super Fours, and set up another meeting with India in Dubai.

Read more: India hold nerves to down spirited Oman in final group match

Indian media has reported that the team plans to stick to its no-handshake policy for Sunday’s clash.

India spinner Kuldeep Yadav sought to defuse the controversy.

“When you step onto the field it’s just a batter in front of you. I have always approached it this way against Pakistan,” he said ahead of India’s last group game, against Oman on Friday.

Agha also stuck to sport.

“If we play good cricket like we have played in the last few months I think we’ll be good against any side,” the Pakistan captain told reporters.

Because of fraught political ties, nuclear-armed neighbours India and Pakistan only meet at neutral venues during multi-team tournaments.

Tensions soared ahead of the Asia Cup after the two countries engaged in their worst conflict since 1999.

The hostilities in May left more than 70 people dead in missile, drone and artillery exchanges, before a ceasefire.

The conflict was triggered by an April attack on civilians in Pahalgam in Indian-administered Kashmir that New Delhi accused Pakistan of backing, a charge Islamabad denies.