NEW DELHI: Former Pakistani players have a habit of making false claims about India and cried foul over bad umpiring after Pakistan suffered a six-wicket defeat to India in the Asia Cup Super 4 match on Sunday.

After match referee Andy Pycroft became the focus of criticism over the handshake fiasco in the group match, Sri Lankan umpire Ruchira Palliyaguruge came under fire for giving opener Fakhar Zaman out after the decision was referred upstairs.

Fakhar was batting on 15 when he edged a delivery from Hardik Pandya, which was claimed by wicketkeeper Sanju Samson as a low catch. The on-field umpire referred it to the third umpire Palliyaguruge because there was uncertainty about whether the catch was clean. In the end, the third umpire, after reviewing replays, ruled in favour of India.

Shahid Afridi, who has always been outspoken for his anti-India comments, questioned umpire's integrity with his witty remark: "Unhone IPL me bhi toh umpiring karni hai [He has to umpire in the IPL too]," he said on Samaa TV.

Last week, former PCB chairman Ramiz Raja stirred controversy by alleging bias against Pakistan, claiming match referee Andy Pycroft was "a favourite of India" and had officiated 90 times of their games.

However, the numbers tell a different story. Pycroft has stood in 538 men's internationals overall - including 125 involving India, 107 with England, and 103 with Pakistan, along with more than 200 matches featuring other teams.

Fact check: Has Ruchira Palliyaguruge ever officiated in the IPL?

Now Afridi's claim about Ruchira Palliyaguruge officiating in the IPL has fallen flat, as the Sri Lankan umpire has never been part of the league.

Palliyaguruge has an extensive officiating career, having stood in 18 Tests, 132 ODIs, and 84 T20Is in men's cricket. He has also officiated in 22 WODIs and eight WT20Is. In the T20 format overall, he has been part of 158 matches - 110 as an on-field umpire and 48 as a TV umpire.

Despite this impressive experience, Palliyaguruge has never been part of the Indian Premier League. To date, only five Sri Lankans - Graeme Labrooy, Kumar Dharmasena, Ranjan Madugalle, Roshan Mahanama, and Tyron Wijewardene - have officiated in the IPL as umpires, TV umpires, or match referees.