The Imad Wasim LBW controversy sparked chaos during a CPL match between Antigua and Barbuda Falcons and Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR). The incident occurred in the 10th over, with Falcons needing 67 runs from 65 balls. Wasim faced his first delivery from Sunil Narine, and the ball struck his pads in front of middle stump. A loud lbw appeal followed.
On-field umpire Christopher Taylor initially gave Wasim not out. However, TKR captain Kieron Pollard opted for a review. The Imad Wasim LBW controversy escalated when ball-tracking showed the delivery would have hit leg stump, and the third umpire overturned the decision. Wasim, given out, would have been dismissed for a golden duck.
“If I speak, I’ll get into trouble,” he said about the Wasim incident. “So I better stay quiet on that.”
Believing he had edged the ball, Wasim engaged the umpires in discussion. Replays on the big screen suggested an inside edge. The Imad Wasim controversy intensified as Falcons’ assistant coach Curtly Ambrose protested. The third umpire then reviewed the footage again and reversed the decision, ruling Wasim not out.
This reversal triggered an animated debate between Pollard and the umpires. TKR coach Phil Simmons signaled his displeasure from the dugout. The Imad Wasim LBW controversy caused a 12-minute delay, leaving the TKR camp visibly upset. Despite the controversy, Wasim went on to hit the winning runs.
Falcons captain Chris Green called the situation “absolute chaos” but praised his team’s performance. The Imad Wasim LBW controversy added drama to the CPL, entertaining fans and fueling debate about umpiring decisions. Despite the heated moments, Falcons secured the victory, keeping TKR in second place on the points table.
“Chaos, absolute chaos,” Green said. “I don’t know what went on. He was given out when he shouldn’t have been, and then he stood over the rope and he probably shouldn’t have – but he was told to. Absolute chaos. I don’t know what happened, but this tournament continues to entertain in different ways… Really happy with the win. We outplayed them in all facets of the game tonight, and we thoroughly deserve that win.”
