Pakistan cruelly denied win over South Africa by umpire’s DRS decision

The cricket world has been left seeing red after Pakistan were cruelly denied a crucial World Cup win over one umpire decision.

South Africa survived a late charge from Pakistan to pull off a thrilling one-wicket win and move closer to the semi-finals of the Cricket World Cup.

Aiden Markram hit a solid 91 and at 206-4 South Africa were well on course to comfortably chase down a 271-run target.

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Pakistan fought back as they claimed five wickets for 54 runs to leave South Africa needing 11 runs over the final five overs.

Controversy then took over when Haris Rauf slammed a ball into the pads of Tabraiz Shamsi with the last ball of the 46th over.

The umpire refused to raise his finger with Pakistan skipper Babar Azam ultimately electing to send it upstairs.

That’s when the heartbreak began.

As the replays rolled Shamsi looked completely plumb only for the DRS to save him. Ball tracking flashed two red lights but it was the final one that cut Pakistan the deepest as the wickets stated umpire’s call.

While the ball looked to be clipping leg stump, it wasn’t enough of the ball to give it out.

The controversial moment.

Not enough of the ball hitting the stumps.

The controversial call left the cricket world up in arms with many believing the system needs a major overhaul.

Former England skipper Nasser Hussain didn’t hold back when discussing the incident after the match.

“The umpires made some shocking decisions against Pakistan. ICC and BCCI are destroying our beautiful game. My heart is sad today,” he said.

Former South African cricketer Hashim Amla wrote: “Feel for this lad (Azam) he gave everything, top captaincy great knock. A umpire call costs the game. Nawaz not delivered well but Chin up Babar you’re the champion.”

Former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh was livid as he posted on X: “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.”

Shaheen Afridi to Mitch Marsh in 2021.
Haris Rauf to Tabraiz Shamsi in 2023.
2 absolute jarring LBW shouts denied on umpires’ call by one Chris Gaffaney. may have looked marginal to the naked eye, but he was never going to raise the finger.
2 broken dreams.#PAKvSA#CWC2023pic.twitter.com/Glkpjvok1B

— Cani (@caniyaar) October 27, 2023

South Africa secured the one-wicket victory when Keshav Maharaj hit spinner Mohammad Nawaz to the square-leg boundary to pull off the win in 47.2 overs, sparking wild celebrations in his team’s dressing room.

The win took South Africa top of the table with 10 points from five wins in six matches.

Pakistan, however, have lost four in succession after opening the tournament with back-to-back wins.

They have four points and will need results to fall in their favour if they are to sneak into the semi-finals.

“We had a very close fight and fought very well. We had an opportunity to win this match but we missed it,” said Pakistan skipper Babar Azam.

“We will try our best in our next three matches.”

This was only the seventh one-wicket win by a team in all World Cups and second by South Africa.