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[Saba Sports News] Pakistan all-rounder Faheem Ashraf made a bold claim during the Champions Cup, suggesting that friendships with umpires help players in domestic cricket.
Representing Dolphins, Faheem expressed concern over the umpiring standards, stating, “All the good umpires in Pakistan are gone, officiating at a higher level, leaving domestic cricket with poor officiating.”
He added, “Umpiring in domestic cricket is poor, but without TV coverage, no one notices. Now, with the Champions Cup, everyone sees the level of umpiring in Pakistan. Good or bad, it’s out in the open.”
Faheem also hinted at favoritism, saying, “In domestic cricket, players are friends with umpires, so they get saved or exchange phone numbers. I’m speaking plainly.” However, he noted the difference in the Champions Cup, stating, “There’s no friendship here because everything’s on TV, and everyone is watching.”
Faheem, who has represented Pakistan in multiple formats, has taken 87 international wickets and scored over 1000 runs, including four half-centuries.