LAHORE – Several celebrities have called the International Cricket Council (ICC) for controversial ‘umpire’s call’ rule in DRS after it cost Pakistan a crucial match against South Africa in ongoing World Cup 2023.
The rule came under massive debate after controversial LBW outcome of South Africa’s Tabraiz Shamsi led to heart-breaking loss to Pakistan as the defeat has put them on the verge of being knocked out of mega cricket event.
South Africa needed 8 runs with one wicket in hand. In the last delivery of the 46th over, Haris Rauf tried to trap Shamsi in front of the stumps. There was a big appeal but the umpire did not give it out. Babar immediately went for the DRS.
However, Shamsi survived in the replays due to the umpire’s call rule. Later, Proteas won the match in 48th over.
Former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh slammed the rule. In a post on social media platform X, he wrote: “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???”
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 Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) October 27, 2023
Bollywood star Ayushmann Khurrana also said it was an out. He wrote: “Yeh Shamsi out tha bro..”
Yeh Shamsi out tha bro..
— Ayushmann Khurrana (@ayushmannk) October 27, 2023
Pakistan singer Ali Zafar said the winner of the match for him is Pakistan. He said, “Pakistan won ! That was an OUT! ‘Impact in line!’ Yes, we can argue over it and can all have our own opinions. For me, Pakistan won”.
https://twitter.com/AliZafarsays/status/1717954723620295165/history
A valid question my friends are asking that may haunt many for a long time: “Why did it take longer than usual for the review video. Something didn’t look right.” Perhaps some technical error?
“Regardless of everything, did anyone think the team would fight like that when it started ? Hats off to the boys. You have our love and respect,” he wrote.
Former skipper Shahid Afridi however encouraged the team to play gallantly in the remaining matches.
“The thriller #CWC23 was desperately waiting for! Hard luck boys, on any other day, things would have gone in your way. One-wicket losses are devastating, but you need to keep your chins up as you gave your best and fought gallantly till the end,” he wrote on X.
The thriller #CWC23 was desperately waiting for! Hard luck boys, on any other day, things would have gone in your way. One-wicket losses are devastating, but you need to keep your chins up as you gave your best and fought gallantly till the end.
Congratulations to SA for pulling…— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) October 27, 2023
Afridi also congratulated South Africa for pulling victory from the jaws of defeat. “A big round of applause to the Chennai crowd. Reminded me of their overwhelming support to us in the 1999 Test,” he said.
Pacer Naseem Shah seemed to run out of words as he just shared a broken heart emoji on his X handle after Pakistan suffered defeat in the thriller.
💔 😢
— Naseem Shah (@iNaseemShah) October 27, 2023
Cricketer Fawad Alam wrote, “Hard luck team Pakistan! But anyways, full marks for the effort by the bowlers to take it that close”.
Hard luck team Pakistan!😭 But anyways, full marks for the effort by the bowlers to take it that close. I think we were 20 runs short with the bat, plus a bit unlucky with that Shamsi review in @HarisRauf14 ’s last over. But what a thriller of a game it was at the end👍🏼#PAKvSA
— Fawad Alam (@iamfawadalam25) October 27, 2023
“I think we were 20 runs short with the bat, plus a bit unlucky with that Shamsi review in @HarisRauf14 ’s last over. But what a thriller of a game it was at the end,” he said.
ICC accepts DRS blunder in Pakistan vs South Africa World Cup match amid uproar
