South Africa and Pakistan are currently playing a three-match ODI series as part of the 2020-23 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League. The series got tied 1-1 yesterday after Team SA won in Johannesburg. However, cricket fans have been discussing one particular dismissal and debating whether it was against the ‘spirit of the game’.
According to HT, Pakistan batsman Fakhar Zaman was had score 192 runs and hit the ball to long-off. South Africa wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock seemed to gesture as if the ball was being thrown towards the non-striker end which made Zaman slow down. However, the ball hit the stumps at his end and he was declared run out.
de kock with the perfect dummy #SAvPAK pic.twitter.com/wkN8floMMd
— kεz (@realkez) April 4, 2021
Pic of the Day❤️ South Africa team management giving standing ovation to Fakhar Zaman..#fakharzaman #SAvPAK pic.twitter.com/piCMrEUtuy
— Sherry_Tweets ❤︎ (@Lumber_1_Tweets) April 4, 2021
Several people thought that the wicketkeeper’s actions were against MCC’s Law 41.5.1. Marylebone Cricket Club tweeted the details of the law saying, “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”
The Law is clear, with the offence being an ATTEMPT to deceive, rather than the batsman actually being deceived.
It’s up to the umpires to decide if there was such an attempt. If so, then it’s Not out, 5 Penalty runs + the 2 they ran, and batsmen choose who faces next ball.
— Marylebone Cricket Club (@MCCOfficial) April 4, 2021
Shoaib Akhtar also admitted that though it wasn’t cheating, it left a bad taste in the mouth.
What a master inning by @FakharZamanLive. Treat to watch. Single handedly brought the game here.
Sad end to the inning. Deserved a 200.
Was the spirit of the game compromised by South Africa & @QuinnyDeKock69 in that run out??Full review: https://t.co/bi2f2Qgxij#PAKvSA pic.twitter.com/7Uvt8Ovhpn
— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) April 4, 2021
Quinton de Kock was cheeky with that Fakhar Zaman run out. But it is interesting that the umps didn't see it as a fake fielding. It will be an interesting debate.
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) April 4, 2021
Fakhar Zaman has played what has to be one of the greatest innings of all times. 18 fours and 10 sixes and then was tricked into getting run out by QdK using a lowly ploy to distract him—the only way SA could get rid of him. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
— Syed Talat Hussain (@TalatHussain12) April 4, 2021
I think there are rules in ICC regarding fake feilding. And this was clear case of distraction and isnt suitable for professional level. It felt like i was watching gully cricket
— Ramuz (@Ramuz14489198) April 5, 2021
Deceiving a batsman is not allowed according to laws of cricket. Don’t know what the umpires were doing.
— Animesh Singh (@animeshfrndss) April 4, 2021
On the other side of the scale, cricket enthusiasts said that MS Dhoni had also done the same earlier and it was the batsman’s fault for not being vigilant enough. Zaman himself said, “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.”
Was that Quinton De Kock or M S Dhoni 🤔😅🤣 @QuinnyDeKock69 @msdhoni pic.twitter.com/kQKbWrRqK7
— Sushant Mehta (@SushantNMehta) April 4, 2021
De Kock stopped Fakhar Zaman from getting 200. He did a @msdhoni kind of thing here. Absolutely brilliant cricket 🏏. #PAKvSA fighting innings from @FakharZamanLive take a bow 🙇♂️
— Vijay MP (@imvijaymp) April 4, 2021
Fakhar Zaman was run out with a direct hit… that is all. Move on! #SAvsPAK
— jasonlowrie (@jasonlowrie) April 5, 2021
We have seen this before with Ms Dhoni and Sangakkara. Mental and physical coordination is the key here. Top innings by Fakhar. But I would call it a smart move by Quiny. Great presence of mind.
— Aman (@Indian26712) April 5, 2021
He didn’t make noise or something obvious to distract the batsman. As far as the batsman was concerned de kock was communicating with his own team and the batsman shouldn’t have listened to what de kock was saying.
— Francois (@Spikedgecko) April 4, 2021
Why would the batsman slow down until he is safe? This is stupidity on his part. He is only safe, if he reaches the crease on either side.. slowing down, not putting in the bat inside the crease, these are all stupid but costly errors on batsman’s part…
— aditya sunkara (@adityasunkara) April 4, 2021
It is the responsibility of the batsman to be aware of where is the ball in the field. This is a smart cricket today distractions will happen it is the responsibility of the batsman to be careful. Presence of mind is very important in modern day cricket.
It’s a fair play.
— Candid Speaker (@CandidSpeaker) April 5, 2021
What do you think of the run-out? Tell us.