South Africa defeated Bangladesh by four runs in their third match of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. However, the Tigers were not beaten by the Proteas but by the outdated rule. The International Cricket Council wants to take the game to new nations, but when it comes to laws and regulations, the sport continues to lag behind.
In the World Cup fixture between South Africa and Bangladesh, the latter would have won the game had the on-field umpire not made a wrong decision.
In the 17th over of the Bangladesh chase, Ottneil Baartman’s second delivery hit the pad of Mahmudullah, and the umpire raised his finger. The ball went for a four, but the ball became dead as the official had given the willow holder out. The batter took a DRS, and the decision was reversed by the third umpire. Mahmudullah survived, but the four was not given as the ball was dead according to the rule.
The margin of defeat was four runs in the end. Had the umpire said no to the South Africa’s appeal, the sub-continent team would have got two points.
A team can’t be penalized for the umpire’s mistake. Instead, the official should get a demerit point for wrong decisions during a match.
Former India player Wasim Jaffer highlighted this outdated rule.
“Mahmudullah was wrongly given out LBW; the ball went for four leg byes. The decision was reversed on DRS. Bangladesh didn’t get the 4 runs as the ball is dead once the batter is given out, even if wrongly. And SA ended up winning the game by 4 runs. Feel for Bangladesh fans. #SAvBAN #T20WC,” he wrote on X.
ICC has been spending millions on infrastructure and the promotion of cricket, but officials have shown no interest in looking at the rules that are not needed or should be changed.
Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) is the body that implements the rules amd regulations of the game. ICC has the right to urge the MCC to change a particular law but the governing body takes ages before realising the need to go for it.
