Former cricketers Harbhajan Singh and Graeme Smith were at odds over DRS calls during the nail-biting World Cup 2023 clash between South Africa and Pakistan at Chepauk on Friday (October 27).
The match went down to the wire and it was the South African team that emerged victorious by just one wicket.
The game was also marked by a controversial DRS decision, involving the Proteas No. 11 batter Tabraiz Shamsi.
With Pakistan needing one wicket to win, Haris Rauf hit Shamsi’s pads and appealed for LBW. While it looked very close at first glance, the on-field umpire declared it not out.
Pakistan team wasn’t satisfied with the call and opted for a review. Since the on-field umpire had given it not out, the review couldn’t overturn the decision even though the ball was just clipping the leg-stump.
After the match, ex-India spinner Harbhajan Singh took to social media platform X and claimed that it was because of the ‘bad umpiring’ and ‘bad rules’ that Pakistan ended up on the losing side.
“Bad umpiring and bad rules cost Pakistan this game.. @ICC should change this rule .. if the ball is hitting the stump that’s out whether umpire gave out or not out doesn’t matter.. otherwise what is the use of technology??? @TheRealPCB vs #SouthAfrica #worldcup,” Harbhajan wrote.
Responding to Harbhajan’s post, South African legend Graeme Smith highlighted the dismissal of Rassie van der Dussen from the same match.
Van der Dussen was adjudged LBW off the bowling of Usama Mir. Despite the review, the Proteas batter had to walk back to the pavilion as the umpire's call led to his wicket.
"Bhajji, @harbhajan_singh I feel the same as you on umpires call, but @Rassie72 and South Africa can have the same feeling.?" Smith replied.
However, Harbhajan was not convinced by Smith’s response and went on to say that either technology should be used or teams must obey the on-field calls of the umpires.
“This isn’t right .. either u use technology or stick to umpires decisions SIMPLE ! In the same game ball hitting the stump twice once given out and once not out ..what r you showing the whole world ? Who’s making the mistakes umpire or technology? Why hv them both ? Need to decide which one is right . UMPIRE OR TECHNOLOGY?” Harbhajan tweeted.
With his heartbreaking loss, Pakistan’s future in the World Cup 2023 looks uncertain as the tournament heads into the second half.
While the 1992 champions still have a mathematical chance to make it to the semi-finals, their qualification will depend on the results of other teams.
