Fakhar Zaman run out: Waqar questions de Kock’s cheeky giggle; Tabraiz Shamsi defends

The South Africa- Pakistan encounter in the Pink Day ODI at the Wanderers on April 4 is making headlines, not only because of the Fakhar Zaman innings of 193 but also because of the mode of his dismissal and Quinton de Kock being accused of cheating and deceiving the batsman. 

The Pakistani opener got run out after a direct throw from long-0ff had his bails removed as he was walking back slowly to the crease, thinking that the throw was coming at the other end. It was made to believe that South Africa wicket-keeper batsman had tried to deceive Fakhar with his hand gestures that the throw was coming at the bowler’s end that’s why the batsman was confused and slowed down while running back to the batter’s end. 

Although Fakhar clarified in the post-match interview that he did not blame de Kock for his run out saying, “The fault was mine as I was too busy looking out for Haris Rauf at the other end as I felt he’d started off a little late from his crease, so I thought he was in trouble. The rest is up to the match referee, but I don’t think it’s Quinton’s fault.”

However, one tweet from the Pakistan bowling coach Waqar Younis seemed to be taking a dig at de Kock for fake fielding the ball and deceiving the batsman. Younis, however, is not the only person to point that out.

Tabraiz Shamsi, the South African spin bowler, who was taken for cleaners in that game, came out to defend his former skipper, saying that de Kock was gesturing to the fielder on the other end to back up. He further said that deducing anything else from that incident was just unfortunate. 

According to Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC)’s rules, until and unless the batter appeals, the umpires or match referee won’t be discussing the issue of fake fielding or deception. 

It had now come to the fore that the Pakistan team has lodged an unofficial complaint with match referee Andy Pycroft in connection with the incident.