Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman’s brilliant inning of 193 came to an end in the most controversial manner after being run-out by South Africa’s Aiden Markram aided by Quinton de Kock in the second ODI of the ongoing three-match ODI series in Johannesburg on Sunday (April 4).
The controversial ran-out took place in the final over of Pakistan’s innings while chasing South Africa’s mammoth 341-run target in Johannesburg.
Zaman – batting on 193 off 155 balls – looked destined to cross the golden 200-run mark in the ODI cricket with Pakistan needing 31 runs off the last over to win the second ODI against South Africa on Sunday.
Entering the final over of the game in Johannesburg, the 30-year-old hit the ball off Lungi Ngidi to the long-off and decided to come back for the second run with Haris Rauf at the other end, but at the time, De Kock attempted to distract or deceive the batsman and he got caught in his trap.
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The Proteas keeper gestured to the bowler’s end as if to indicate that the ball was being thrown at the other end and Zaman with his face towards the bowler’s end, slowed down a bit and a direct hit from Markram at long-off caught him short, leading to a controversial ran-out by the South Africans.
Unfortunately, Zaman’s valiant effort went in vain as South Africa defeated Pakistan by 17 runs to level in the ongoing three-match ODI series on Sunday, but the ran-out sparked a huge debate among the fans and cricketers with many calling it against the sportsmanship and laws as well as criticizing De Kock.
However, South Africa’s white-ball captain Temba Bavuma has defended his wicketkeeper over the matter amid the heavy criticism by saying the latter’s act was “quite clever” and he doesn’t think former captain “broke the rules in any kind of way” on Sunday.
Bavuma said in the post-match press conference: “It was quite clever from Quinny. Maybe some people might criticize it for maybe not being in the spirit of the game. But it was an important wicket for us. Zaman was getting close to our target. Yeah, it was clever from Quinny.”
He further added, “You've always got to look for ways especially when things are not going your way, got to find ways to turn the momentum around. Quinny did that - I don't think he broke the rules in any kind of way. It was a clever piece of cricket.”
Meanwhile, Zaman said about the matter, “The fault was mine as I was too busy looking out for Haris Rauf at the other end as I felt he'd started off a little late from his crease, so I thought he was in trouble. The rest is up to the match referee, but I don't think it's Quinton's fault.”
Noteworthy, MCC's Law 41.5.1 states that “it is unfair for any fielder wilfully to attempt, by word or action, to distract, deceive or obstruct either batsman after the striker has received the ball” and in such matters, the umpires should take the call and decide whether the batsman actually being deceived.
The decider third and final ODI is slated to be played on Wednesday (April 7) in Centurion.
(With ESPNcricinfo/ANI Inputs)
