Misbah, Dilshan back use of DRS

Rival captains Tillakaratne Dilshan and Misbah-ul Haq have called for the use of the Decision Review System (DRS) in all international cricket.

Sri Lankan captain Dilshan has reasons to back the DRS after his key batsman Kumar Sangakkara was adjudged leg-before in their nine-wicket defeat against Pakistan in the second Test on Saturday.

Sangakkara, batting on 30 in the second innings was given leg-before by New Zealand umpire Tony Hill.

Television replays showed Sangakkara lunged forward to an incoming delivery from Pakistani spinner Abdul Rehman but did not offer a stroke, which may have prompted Hill to give the verdict against the left-handed batsman.

Sangakkara trudged back to the pavilion in disgust, while Dilshan showed anger in the players' balcony in the Dubai stadium.

Since no DRS was available in the series, Sri Lanka were unable to challenge the decision.

Dilshan said he was in favour of making the system available, especially when pinpoint decisions need making.

"I cannot comment over what went wrong on the decisions. I am very happy if the DRS is there when the match is going 50-50, it is important to have it," said Dilshan, who was wrongly adjudged caught behind in the drawn first Test in Abu Dhabi.

"If bowlers and batsmen can get 100 per cent correct decisions it is really good, especially in Test cricket we need DRS," added Dilshan, whose team had DRS in the series against Australia at home last month."

The International Cricket Council (ICC) in its Board meeting earlier this month ruled that the DRS will no longer be mandatory in bilateral series and both the participating countries must agree to its use, a reversal of a decision made in June.

The ICC Board, however, supported the use of technology and its continued development and were encouraged by certain members who were willing to use and work towards improving the technology.

The DRS was first used on a trial basis in 2008 with teams allowed two unsuccessful challenges per innings in Tests and one in a one-day on decisions by the on-field umpires, but the system was forcefully opposed by India.

Pakistan captain Misbah said he was always a great supporter of the DRS.

"I always speak about DRS and am in favour of the DRS. It really helps teams and umpires so I am in favour of the DRS and it should be there in all international matches as I see it as a great initiative," said Misbah.

The Pakistan Cricket Board last month announced it will use DRS only in the five-match one-day series against Sri Lanka which follows the three-Test series.