(Credit X)
Ex-India cricket veterans assert that Bangladesh encountered unfair treatment from both the umpire’s decisions and the regulations during their T20 World Cup encounter with South Africa.
Former Indian cricketers Wasim Jaffer and Ambati Rayudu strongly condemned umpire Sam Nogajski’s questionable call during the 17th over of Bangladesh’s pursuit in a T20 World Cup Group D clash against South Africa in New York on Monday. Nogajski adjudged Mahmudullah out following South African pacer Ottneil Baartman’s delivery, which struck the Bangladesh batsman’s pads with a full swing. Despite the ball speeding to the fine leg boundary for a four, Mahmudullah’s dismissal nullified the runs as per the umpire’s decision.
Now, the intriguing moment that sparked debates across the cricketing sphere unfolded. Mahmudullah promptly opted for a review. Upon review, replays revealed that the ball would have comfortably avoided hitting the stumps. Although the decision was reversed in Bangladesh’s favor, they were deprived of four additional runs in the process.
Per the regulations of the game, once the umpire signals an out, the ball is deemed “dead,” retaining this status even if overturned through DRS. Consequently, Bangladesh suffered a loss by precisely four runs as South Africa effectively defended a total of 113. Former Indian opener Wasim Jaffer, who previously served as a batting coach for the Bangladesh U19 squad, asserted that Mahmudullah was unjustly treated, advocating for a reevaluation of the dead ball rule by lawmakers.
“Mahmudullah was wrongly given out LBW, the ball went for four leg byes. The decision was reversed on DRS. Bangladesh didn’t get the 4 runs as ball is dead once batter given out, even if wrongly. And SA ended up winning the game by 4 runs. Feel for Bangladesh fans,” Jaffer wrote on X.
Ambati Rayudu, former Indian cricketer, directed blame towards the umpire, expressing his discontent with the decision. He remarked on Star Sports, “In the span of 150 years of cricket, have you ever witnessed such a decision by an umpire? Unlikely. It was an appalling call. Merely because a fraction of the leg stump is visible doesn’t justify giving the batter out. Consideration should also be given to the trajectory of the ball and its delivery point.”
Bangladesh batsman Towhid Hridoy concurred that the absence of those four runs could have altered the outcome of the closely contested match. “To be frank, it was a tough call for us in such a nail-biting match. From my perspective, the umpire’s decision was unfavorable to us. Those four runs might have turned the tables,” Hridoy remarked to reporters post-match.
South Africa concluded their innings at 113-6 within their allocated 20 overs, with Heinrich Klaasen leading the charge with 46 runs, while fast bowler Tanzim Hasan Sakib recorded his career-best figures of 3-18.
Despite their efforts, Bangladesh fell short, managing only 109-7 in response, as South Africa clinched their third victory in as many Group D encounters.
