By Bipin Dani
MUMBAI, India (TheSportsNEXT) December 1, 2012: Before the commencement of the Perth Test, which has been Ricky Ponting's last in his career, total number of centuries scored by former captain is 41.
He has to blame Pakistan's former ICC umpire, Khizar Hayat for not being able to add one more possible to his tally.
Long before the Decision Review System (DRS) was even invented Pakistani umpire Khizar Hayat provided an ironclad case for its introduction with a historical howler of a decision which still makes cringing YouTube viewing. Ponting was given lbw to Sri Lanka's Chaminda Vaas for 96 in the first innings of his debut Test (vs. Sri Lanka at Perth in December 1995)despite the fact the ball would have cleared the stumps by 6 in. or more.
The umpire, however, has no regrets.
Speaking exclusively with TheSportsNEXT.com over his mobile from one of the hospitals in Lahore, where he went to see his ailing sister, Khizar Hayat said, "it was a long time ago and I still remember Ponting's game. He would have scored the century in that match had he been not declared out wrongly by my mistake".
"It was unfortunate but any umpire can make mistake and I have no regrets over the incident".
The umpire was initially not upset until he saw the replay at tea.
"Debutant Ricky Ponting, nine days short of his 21st birthday, was cruelly denied a hundred. Hayat ruled him leg-before when replays showed the ball heading over the stumps. Ponting soon lent a sober perspective. "He'd been lucky to survive an outside edge first ball, he said, and besides, he would "gladly cop 96 each hit", Wisden Almanack had noted then.
Ricky Ponting's parents, Greame and Lorraine, went to witness their son's debut and were disappointed on Ponting missing his first Test ton.
"I met Ponting in the party thereafter where we exchanged words on this", the umpire added. "I had been to Australia thereafter (he didn't umpire any match in Australia after this Test) and Ponting also came to Pakistan in 1998-99 season. He never showed disrespect towards me", Hayat signed off.
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