whatmore-misbah-afp-670

KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is set to implement the Decision Review System (DRS) for the three-match one-day (ODI) series against Australia in the United Arab Emirates starting next month.

Due to security concerns in Pakistan, the 'home' series will be played at a neutral venue. The UAE was selected after Sri Lanka pulled out of hosting the series due to a clash with the dates of the Sri Lanka Premier League. The series, which starts on August 28, includes three ODIs and two Twenty20s.

A PCB official confirmed that a sponsorship deal has almost been finalised to use the DRS during next month’s series.

"We're very much in favour of having the DRS in ODI and Test matches and we see the Australia series as a good platform to promote the technology," he was quoted as saying.

It is upto the host country to decide whether to use DRS or not. The need for DRS was reinforced in Pakistan's series against Sri Lanka where the technology was not available due to cost constraints prompting the players to unite and demand it as the first Test in Galle saw 12 controversial decisions – seven of them against Pakistan.

"One thing I want to say is that it is time for the highest authorities to make a decision about the DRS,” said Mohammad Hafeez. "It should be made compulsory for every game."

The DRS was made compulsory for all series by the Ineternational Cricket Council (ICC) but that changed last year after opposition from the Indian cricket board.