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‘Feel The Same, But..’ Graeme Smith’s ‘Spicy’ Dig At Bhajji Over LBW Drama In PAK vs SA

image-lo90760gSouth Africa's last-wicket pair exults after thrilling win at the 2023 World Cup (x.com)

The South African last-wicket pair survived their way to secure a one-wicket win against Pakistan in Chennai. While their World Cup 2023 showdown at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium gave fans the first real thriller of the competition, the contest was also marred with a couple of controversial umpire calls that turned out to be match-defining decisions.

For instance, when the South Africans were just a few runs away from victory with a solitary wicket in store, Pakistan speedster Haris Rauf unsuccessfully appealed for a leg before against number 11 Tabraiz Shamsi. Thereafter, ‘Men in Green’ skipper Babar Azam instantly opted for a review, which went against them owing to the umpire’s call.

After the match, Harbhajan Singh claimed that bad umpiring and bad rules cost Pakistan their crucial game against South Africa, and the ICC should completely abolish the umpire’s call for DRS decisions. Rebuking the former Indian spinner, South African legend Graeme Smith cited another incident from the same match that had gone against the Proteas.

Graeme Smith and Harbhajan Singh exchange opinions

South Africa’s in-form number three, Rassie van der Dussen, steadied his side’s run-chase ship with a 54-run partnership with Aiden Markram. However, the 34-year-old was seemingly entrapped by Pakistan’s concussion substitute, Usama Mir, upon reaching 21, as the Proteas ended up losing their third wicket against the run-of-play.

Dussen opted for a review, where ball tracking initially displayed “missing stumps,” only for it to change to “umpires call” in a matter of seconds. The batsman eventually made his way back to the pavilion at a time when his country was still 150 runs away from securing their two points.

Former South African captain Graeme Smith cited Rassie van der Dussen’s incident as a rebuttal to Harbhajan Singh’s opinion, claiming that the Proteas also felt the same about the “umpire’s call” rule in the same game.

The former Indian off-spinner and 2011 World Cup-winner responded back by claiming that none of the incidents should have occurred and implied that the ICC should completely remove the umpire’s call in DRS decisions instead.

Regardless of Harbhajan Singh’s Twitter exchange with Graeme Smith, Pakistan’s World Cup 2023 journey came to an abrupt end with the eventual outcome while South Africa leaped their way to the top of the points table.