While it is Test cricket fever around the world as India and Englnad are playing each other in a cracking series, while Australia just finished a three-match outing against West Indies, action has turned towards T20I cricket in Zimbabwe following the Proteas' victory in the two-match series. The two teams have been joined by New Zealand for an exciting T20I tri-series.

The series started with the Proteas defeating the hosts while the Rassier van der Dussen are now facing New Zealand in the second match of the tournament. This is the first time the two sides have played each other in the shortest format of the game since 2017

While the series is an exciting one for cricket fans, it is missing a key facet as the Decision Review System (DRS) is not available to the players in all matches. Essentially, players cannot review LBW calls and caught-behind decisions. The third umpire can only check decisions referred by the on-field umpire, such as run-outs and no-balls.

Over recent years, DRS has become an essential part of the game and features in nearly every international game as well as many franchise-based T20 leagues and domestic cricket in various countries.

Hence, its absence in the ongoing series is rare.

While no offical reasons have been given, it is worth pointing out that the system has been rarely used in Zimbabwe. It was first used in the country in 2016, but has been used inconsistently since. Infact, the DRS was not even available for the 2019 and 2023 World Cup qualifiers, which were held in the country.

The reason behind DRS's absence in Zimbabwe is due to financial and logistical factors. The review system is a costly one, and hence, Cricket Zimbabwe has avoided it.

DRS was also not present in the South Africa-Zimbabwe Test series and is unlikely to be present when New Zealand faces Zimbabwe in two Test matches.