Bipin Dani
Few commentators and the former cricketers believe that the visiting South African team should have one of its three allotted review quota should have been reinstated.
In the 37th over of Pakistan batting, an appeal (for LBW) against Azhar Ali in the bowling of Linde was rejected and the South Africa’s review to the 3rd umpire was inconclusive.
The TV umpire said “it’s not conclusive whether bat first or pad first” and therefore they will stay with the on-field decision. What was interesting was that South Africa had lost another review despite the TV umpire’s decision being inconclusive.
“In the circumstance above, if the benefit of doubt was given to the batsman because the ball has touched the bat and the pad at the same time and the third umpire was not sure, why the review should have been taken away from the touring team”, Intikhab Alam, the former Pakistani cricketer, coach and manager, speaking exclusively over the telephone from Lahore, said.
“In my opinion, it should have been reinstated”. Former South Africa batsman Barry Richards was surprised on how the third umpire could not judge it.
Speaking to this Reporter, he said, “I didn’t see the match but am surprised with close ups he could not tell. Given the circumstances the team should not have lost the review”.
