A Controversy in Pink

The Pink Day – in support of breast cancer awareness - One Day International saw a moment of controversy which potentially changed the course of the game. A heroic innings from Pakistan’s Fakhar Zaman was prematurely cut short as he was run out on 192, just eight runs away from a double century. But should his demise have been disallowed due to a controversial moment of potential ‘fake fielding’ by wicket-keeper Quinton de Kock?

With the match on a knife edge Zaman hit a delivery deep into the field, a shot which should’ve comfortably yielded two runs. Aiden Markram fielded the ball in the deep, sending a return throw straight towards de Kock’s end, Zaman almost safely back after a second run.

However, as the throw came in de Kock pointed at the bowler’s end, convincing Zaman of his safety. Slowing his run the batsman turns to look towards the ball before realising that he’s made a grave mistake as it flies past him to hit the stumps at his end. All he could muster was a forlorn attempt to make his ground followed by a crestfallen trudge back to the changing rooms.

Pointing and laughing at the downtrodden batsman, de Kock ran to celebrate his successful rouse with the rest of his team. But should the dismissal been ruled out for de Kock’s antics?

Under law 41.5 termed ‘fake fielding’ “it is unfair for any fielder wilfully to attempt, by word or action, to distract, deceive or obstruct either batsman after the striker has received the ball”. Should such occur law 41.5.2 determine that “it is for either one of the umpires to decide whether any distraction, deception or obstruction is wilful or not”.

In the result of an umpire deciding that an act is ‘fake fielding’, they are to cancel out the dismissal, award five penalty runs to the batting side as well as the run that was completed at the time of the offence. A dead ball will also be called, meaning that the delivery doesn’t count and has to be bowled again. In this instance Pakistan would’ve needed 24 runs from 6 deliveries with Zaman retaining the strike. Having already hit 18 fours and 10 sixes, it certainly would’ve been an exciting climax to the game. The run out killed the match as a contest.

I believe that the umpires made an obvious error in not overturning the dismissal. It was clear that de Kock was trying to deceive Zaman as he was returning to his crease, pointing and audibly calling that the ball is going to the opposite end. But the thing that made my mind up is de Kock’s reaction following the run out. He points and laughs at Zaman as if to say “I tricked you”.

It is up for debate whether or not the dismissal should’ve been overturned, but what is certain is that Zaman’s performance will go down as one of the great ODI innings.

But what do you think? Was the decision correct or did the umpires make a huge mistake?