Controversy Strikes in PAK vs SA 2023 World Cup Match: Harbhajan Singh and Graeme Smith Clash Over DRS; ICC Issues Apology
In a thrilling match between Pakistan and South Africa during the 2023 World Cup, things got heated on and off the field. The match, held in Chennai, saw South Africa securing a nail-biting victory by just one wicket. At one point, it seemed like South Africa was cruising to an easy win, but Pakistan staged an incredible comeback, and the game became intense.
In a crucial moment of the match, Pakistan's fast bowler Haris Rauf made an appeal that stirred controversy. During the 46th over of South Africa's innings, Haris Rauf, who was bowling his last over, delivered a ball that seemed to hit Lungi Ngidi's pad. The fielding team believed they had a strong case for an LBW (Leg Before Wicket) dismissal. However, on-field umpire's call was not out.
Harris Rauf sought a review from the Decision Review System (DRS). Upon reviewing the ball tracking, it appeared that the ball had just brushed the leg stump. The decision was left to stand, and Tabraiz Shamsi was not given out. This led to an on-field confrontation as the Pakistan team, including Haris Rauf, and their supporters, lost faith in the DRS system.
Harbhajan Singh, the former Indian cricketer, voiced his frustration on social media. He criticized the decision and highlighted the need for changes in the DRS system. He argued that if the ball is shown to be hitting the stumps in ball tracking, it should not matter whether the on-field umpire gave the batsman out or not. The use of technology should be definitive.
Notably, this was not the only DRS-related controversy in the match. Earlier, Rassie van der Dussen was involved in a similar dispute when he was given out by the on-field umpire, Paul Reiffel. Van der Dussen reviewed the decision, and the ball tracking showed mixed results. In the initial replay, it seemed like the ball would miss the leg stump. However, in a subsequent tracking, the ball was shown to be hitting the leg stump. This caused confusion and a discussion between Graeme Smith and Harbhajan Singh regarding the use of DRS.
After the match, Graeme Smith, the former South African captain, shared his perspective on social media. He seemed to support the on-field umpire's call but also acknowledged that DRS situations can be ambiguous. He emphasised that the technology sometimes reveals mixed results, and in this case, the final tracking data was considered for the decision.
This controversy has sparked a broader conversation about the effectiveness and accuracy of the Decision Review System. The ICC (International Cricket Council) has since issued a statement acknowledging the mistake in showing the wrong replay during Rassie van der Dussen's review. However, they maintained that the final decision was made based on the correct replay, thus standing by the on-field umpire's call.
The incident has raised questions about the reliability of DRS and the need for further refinement in its implementation to avoid such disputes in the future. It also serves as a reminder of the fine margins and uncertainties in cricket, making it a sport filled with intense drama and passionate discussions.
