Hafeez, Jayawardene back compulsory DRS inspite of BCCI refusal

Galle: Rivals Pakistan and Sri Lanka have demanded mandatory video technology after several umpiring blunders in the first Test of the ongoing series, placing themselves squarely in opposition to India`s powerful board.

The Decision Review System (DRS), which uses ball tracking and thermal imaging to verify umpires` decisions, was recommended for mandatory use by cricket chiefs earlier in the week, subject to member nations financing the technology. However, Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene said he wants the International Cricket Council (ICC) to pay for the technology if individual boards, such as his own, cannot afford to fund it when they host touring teams. "The ICC must take it upon themselves to fund the system for the boards which cannot afford to, instead of leaving it to them to decide whether they use it or not," said Jayawardene. "I have always been a fan of the DRS. It might not be 100 percent technology, but if we can use it to get the maximum number of correct decisions, it will help the umpires as well," he said. The ICC had previously made DRS mandatory for all series, but changed its stance last year following objections from the influential board in India, which accounts for the lion`s share of global cricket revenues. Mohammad Hafeez, captaining Pakistan in Galle in the absence of Misbah ul-Haq, said the uncertainty about the video referral technology should end. "One thing I want to say is that it is time for the highest authorities to make a decision about the DRS. It should be made compulsory for every game. I feel as a player, not having the DRS puts a lot of pressure on you and that pressure goes to the umpires," said Hafeez. ANI