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Pakistan's Shoaib Malik bats against the Black Caps - Source: Photosport -
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A loophole in the International Cricket Council's new umpire decision review system has been sealed after the first cricket test between New Zealand and Pakistan in Dunedin.
Pakistan were aggrieved to lose a challenge on the fourth day of the test when a no-ball was detected on replay.
They unsuccessfully sought a review of a failed leg before wicket appeal against Grant Elliott in New Zealand's second innings on Friday.
Ball tracking technology available to the third umpire confirmed the batsman actually was out, but Rudi Koertzen upheld the original decision because bowler Mohammad Asif had overstepped.
Pakistan captain Mohammad Yousuf was unhappy his team lost one of their two available challenges because West Indian umpire Billy Doctrove had erred in failing to notice Asif's indiscretion.
The incident raised the issue of whether the bowling side should be expected to keep an eye on no-balls, or actually be penalised for having missed one - and the ICC has addressed the situation.
ICC umpires manager Doug Cowie had discussions with New Zealand and Pakistan and it was agreed that if a similar incident occurred in the Wellington and Napier tests, the fielding side will not lose a challenge.
The decision review system made its debut in Dunedin and was effective in eliminating umpiring mistakes.
Koertzen was kept busy in the stands at University Oval as both teams utilised the system with varying degrees of success.
Pakistan, who were not involved in a trial of the system last summer, took time to get to grips with it.
Ross Taylor and Shane Bond survived when Pakistan unsuccessfully challenged declined leg before wicket decisions in New Zealand's first innings.
Brendon McCullum also successfully overturned his leg before wicket dismissal after being given out by Simon Taufel 25 runs into his 78.
Pakistan were not as astute in their first innings - Imran Farhat and Umar Gul unsuccessfully appealed their leg before wicket dismissals.
They were happier in New Zealand's second innings - Tim McIntosh was leg before wicket after initially being given not out, the first time the system had worked in their favour.
But that joy was tempered by Elliott's let-off.
However, Pakistan were fortunate Peter Fulton did not seek a review after he was given out leg before wicket for a duck by Doctrove despite Gul's delivery clipping bat before pad.
During a tense final day New Zealand lost a challenge after optimistically reviewing a declined leg before wicket decision against Pakistani captain Mohammad Yousuf while the tourists vice-captain Kamran Akmal failed to have his leg before wicket dismissal to O'Brien rescinded.
Akmal's dismissal was a turning point on Saturday - his departure on 197 left the tail unable to make the 251 required. Pakistan's pursuit ended 32 runs short.
