Bangladesh suffered a sad four-run defeat to South Africa in the 2024 T20 World Cup on Monday, June 10, at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York. After Bangladesh lost, a big dispute erupted due to an umpiring error and a DRS loophole.
After completing 16 overs Bangladesh found themselves just 27 runs away from victory with only 24 balls remaining. They had six wickets in hand and were backed by Mahmudullah and Towhid Hridoy two batsmen firmly set at the crease.
Ottneil Baartman stepped in to bowl the 17th over. On the second ball, Mahmudullah attempted a flip shot but failed to connect. The ball grazed his pads before racing away to the fence for a boundary.
In a highstakes moment the onfield umpire Sam Nogajski decisively gave Mahmudullah out LBW. However the batter opted for the Decision Review System (DRS) and the balltracking display revealed that the balls path would have avoided the leg stump.
While Mahmudullah survived, the leg-bye four was not included against the team’s total since the rule specifies that the ball turns dead following the on-field umpire’s initial ruling. Even if the ruling is overturned, the batting side will not receive the extra runs scored off the ball.
Following the match, a number of fans and analysts rushed to social media to express their disappointment at Bangladesh’s loss due to the dead ball loophole.
Here are some of the leading reactions:
Certain fans expressed their discontent with the DRS’ dead-ball regulation and demanded the ICC to address the loophole.
“Umpire seems to be supporting SA, Bartman ball clearly going down leg side yet gave out and deprived BAN 4 runs as leg bye.. so crucial match and so crucial runs on this pitch. Poor umpiring.” remarked a fan.
“The umpire on the field gives Mahmudullah out. The ball trickles into the fence for 4. M’ullah takes DRS, is given not out but 4 runs not awarded to B’desh who fall 4 short of a #T20WorldCup win. Unlawful law in #Cricket that has to be scrapped.” commented another.
“That Mahmudullah lbw when the ball clearly looked sliding down leg but the on file umpire gave it out and so the 4 leg byes didn’t stand, in the end it cost Bangladesh.” chimed in yet another.
The 2024 T20 World Cup match between Bangladesh and South Africa was a low-scoring thriller, with the latter narrowly winning. Keshav Maharaj successfully protected 11 runs off the last overs as Najmul Hossain Shanto and his team closed on 109/7, chasing a 114-run mark.
Heinrich Klaasen Reflects on Thrilling T20 World Cup Clash Against Bangladesh
South Africa’s Heinrich Klaasen seems relieved after his team won a tough struggle against Bangladesh in the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Klaasen was named Man of the Match following his 46-run knock. He stated during the post-match presentation:
“That was not nice on the heart but good that we got over the line. The wicket is not too great for strokeplay. We got some good information from the last game and applied it today, we got a decent score. Luckily we’ve got experience in the change room, we almost had a One-Day mindset. Three pressure games now but I think we’re through so that’s good.”
Heinrich Klaasen
South Africa leads Group D of the 2024 T20 World Cup with three victories from three games.