June 11th 2024.
The match between Bangladesh and South Africa at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium on Monday was a nail-biting one, with a tight finish that left both teams on the edge of their seats. However, amidst all the excitement, there was one decision that left Bangladesh's batter, Towhid Hridoy, feeling dissatisfied.
In the 17th over of Bangladesh's run chase, a ball from South African bowler Ottneil Baartman hit Mahmudullah's pad and went for four runs. The South African team immediately appealed for LBW, and to their relief, the on-field umpire initially declared it out. But, after a review, the decision was overturned, much to the frustration of the Bangladesh team.
Hridoy, who scored 37 off 34, was quick to express his disappointment in the umpiring standards. "To be honest, that call was not in our favor in such a close match. In my opinion, the umpire made a mistake by giving it out. It was a tough blow for us, as those four runs could have made a huge difference in the outcome of the game," he shared with reporters after the match.
Moreover, the batter also pointed out that there were a few wides that were not called by the umpires, which added to their frustration. "It's not something that we can control, as the laws are in the hands of the umpires. But in that moment, those four runs were crucial. Umpires are humans too, and they can make mistakes. And in this case, they also missed a few wides," Hridoy added.
The controversial call in the 17th over was not the only one that went against Bangladesh. In the 22nd over, Hridoy himself was given out LBW on a delivery from South African bowler Kagiso Rabada, even though replays showed that the ball was only clipping the leg stump. This decision further highlighted the need for better umpiring standards, especially in such a crucial game where every run counted.
"It's not easy for a new batter to come in and adjust to the conditions, especially in a low-scoring match like this. In that position, I should have finished the game for my team. But unfortunately, I was given out on umpire's call," Hridoy admitted.
In the end, South Africa successfully defended the lowest total in the history of ICC Men's T20 World Cup, leaving Bangladesh with a heartbreaking 4-run loss. However, Hridoy's comments shed light on the importance of maintaining high umpiring standards, especially in close games like this, where every decision can make a huge difference.
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
