PAK vs SA: DRS controversy, and what is Umpire's call?

On Friday, Chennai hosted a thrilling battle on the cricket pitch between Pakistan and South Africa. After gaining an edge in the game, South Africa eked out a narrow, nail-biting victory against the Pakistani team by one-wicket. But, the match sparked a conversation about already much debated 'umpire's call' rule in the Decision Review System (DRS). Some former cricketer didn't shared their thoughts on DRS, Umpire's call, and technology to judge it.

What is Umpire's call?

Now, this decision has raised questions about, 'What is Umpire's Call in DRS?' Cricket Commentator Harsh Bhogle explaining the same wrote,

"I suspect it is time to explain "Umpire's Call" again. After the ball strikes the pad, what you see is a projection of where the ball might have been, it isn't the actual ball because that has met an obstruction. If more than 50% of the ball is projected to hit the stumps, you can be 100% sure it will. But if less than 50% of the ball is projected to hit the stumps, the current accuracy levels cannot state with 100% certainty that the ball would have hit the stumps. Hence, you go back to the Umpire's original decision because you cannot be certain enough to overturn his call. It is a very good and fair method. As cameras get better and the projected path more certain, we could reach a day when you can be certain that even if the projected path shows a ball merely clipping the stumps, it would in reality have hit them."

According to me, Former-English Cricket player-Captain Nasir Hussain explanation is by far the most comprehension, and apt. This explanation points the limitations of the technology, and hitting the stumps is not necessarily 'out' if shown through technology. Please have a look.

Verbal Spat

After the match, Harbhajan Singh angrily took Pakistan's side and posted on X (former Twitter) -

"Pakistan lost due to bad umpiring and bad rules. ICC should change this rule. If the ball hits the stump, it does not matter whether the umpire has given it out or not. Otherwise, what is the use of technology?"

In response, Graeme Smith, mentioning the controversial decision of Rassic van der Dussen wrote,

Bhajji, I too feel the same way as you do about the umpire's call, but can Dussen and South Africa also think the same?

Know the whole controversy

During the run chase of 271 runs against Pakistan, South Africans were looking good having Rassie van der Dussen and Aiden Markram at the crease. But, in the 19th over, one dismissal opened the game for both sides. Proteas batsman Dussen was given out LBW by Umpire Paul Rifle on the fifth ball of Usama Mir's over. When Dussen took the review, the ball tracking showed that the ball was missing the leg stump. Meanwhile, after a few seconds, another tracking video was shown. This time the ball was hitting the stumps and the umpire's call remained and he had to go to the pavilion. 

@TinusvS4 Did you see this? DRS shows Rassie is not out and then resets and then shows out? Who's is verifying DRS and how does such mistakes happen?

However, ICC has issued clarification regarding reviews on Rassie van der Dussen's dismissal. The ICC acknowledged the error in incorrect replays shown of Dussen's dismissal after the controversy. But said the decision had been made correctly. The second replay was correct and the decision was taken on that basis.

In the end, Pakistan needed only one wicket to win. The last ball of the Haris Rauf spell went straight to Shamsi's pad. Rauf appealed on this, and the field umpire gave him not out. Babar took DRS and the Ball tracking showed that the ball was just touching the leg stump. In such a situation, the decision rested on the umpire's call and Shamsi remained not out. Pakistani players including Rauf and Rizwan could not believe this. 

The match

Initially, it looked as though South Africa would cruise to a straightforward win. However, frequent wicket losses intensified the run chase, feeding the excitement of the match. Nonetheless, the Proteas skillfully managed to evade defeat. In the backdrop of this drama, sparks flew off the field as well. Cricket legends, Harbhajan Singh, the celebrated Indian spinner, and Graeme Smith, the respected former South African captain, locked horns on social media over the dismissals.

Important to note, after the one wicket loss against South Africa, Babar Azam-led Pakistan team are almost knocked out of the Cricket World Cup 2023. Men in Green are at No.6 in the Point table with 2 wins and 4 losses in 6 matches played so far.

Keep reading

• Legends League Cricket  is back! Know everything about the tournament
• Hardik Pandya injury update, might join the team in November
• A look at five biggest Cricket stadiums in India 
• Pakistani team trolled after the loss vs Afghans; ex-cricketers react!
• CWC 2023: know the Kashmiri fast bowler who joined England Team
• Why is Danish Kaneria trending?
• Is Dharamshala Cricket Ground Too Risky For The World Cup 2023

Follow Ground Report for Climate Change and Under-Reported issues in India. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Koo App, Instagram, Whatsapp and YouTube. Write us on [email protected].