Murali says SL laid low by umpiring howlers

Colombo:

Sri Lankan off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan alleged his team was at the receiving end of many an umpiring howler during the Test series against India and asked the ICC to make Decision Review System (DRS) mandatory for all games.

Muralitharan pointed to the Tillakaratne Dilshan's dubious dismissal in both the innings of the third and final Test and said several umpiring decision went against them in the series which they lost 0-2.

"We are unfortunate with our batting. Dilshan couldn't capitalise on day one. Those are things that mattered at the end of a Test. The ICC should open its eyes and just put the referral system in place for all the games," Muralitharan was quoted as saying by 'The Nation'.

"Had referral system been there, we could have been in a better position. I don't know how many decisions went against us I didn't count but there were many occasions we have been unlucky. Everything went against us," said Muralitharan. Muralitharan wondered why the ICC did not apply the DRS in India while all the the ongoing series had it.

"We endorse the referral system because the pressure is off the umpires. At the moment the pressure is more on the umpires and if they make a mistake everyone will complain. The referral system in the future is a must.

"In two other Test series happening in Australia and New Zealand it is on but it's not happening here. It's unfortunate for us," the 37-year-old spinner.