DUBAI: Pakistan Cricket team finally finds an excuse to please public from possible loss in second test in form of ball tempering by the Proteas.
Pakistan team already tattering in second test against the Proteas, when all of a sudden they got something to cheer about. South African cricketers got caught red handed during Pakistan’s second innings. As a result, the umpires awarded 5 runs and also changed the ball immediately.
According to the TV replays South African fielder Faf du Plessis was rubbing the ball with the zip of the trouser for the purpose of tempering. Another South African Vernon Philander was caught red handed doing this same.
The ICC confirmed that the penalty and the change of ball after 30 overs was due to ball tampering. “As per 42.1 of the ICC playing conditions, the umpires replaced the ball and fined South Africa team five penalty runs for ball tampering,” an ICC spokesperson said.
South Africa were docked five penalty runs for ball-tampering on the third day of the second Test against Pakistan in Dubai on Friday.
Television replays showed South African fielder Faf du Plessis rubbing the ball on his trousers which had a zip on them, in an apparent attempt to tamper with the ball.
Umpires Rod Tucker of Australia and England’s Ian Gould called South African captain Graeme Smith, changed the ball and added five runs to Pakistan’s score.
Pakistan were struggling at 62 for three with Dale Steyn about to start the 31st over when the umpires took notice of the ball and took the decision.
Under International Cricket Council (ICC) rule 42.1 on tampering, if an umpire spots a change in the condition of the ball but doesn’t know who is the culprit, he will issue a first and final warning to the captain and the ball will be changed.
In case the ball is tampered with again, the bowling team will face a five-run penalty and umpires will not only change the ball again but the captain will be held responsible and reported.
But in this case the umpires saw Du Plessis rubbing the ball in an apparent move to tamper with the ball and they called Smith and docked five penalty runs.
An ICC spokesman confirmed the incident.
“As per 42.1 of the ICC playing conditions, the umpires replaced the ball and fined South Africa five penalty runs for ball tampering,” said an ICC spokesman.
The level two offense of changing the condition of the ball carries a fine of 50 to 100 percent match fee or a ban of one Test, two one-day or two Twenty20 whichever comes first for South Africa.
Pakistan is the only other team to have been penalised with five penalty runs, during the infamous Oval Test against England in 2006.
In a sharp reaction to Australian umpire Darrell Hair’s decision, Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul Haq walked off the field.
Hair then ruled that Pakistan had forfeited the match — the only such instance in Test cricket history.
Former Pakistan pacemen Waqar Younis, Shoaib Akhtar, allrounder Azhar Mahmood and leg-spinner Shahid Afridi have been banned for tampering in the past.
India’s Sachin Tendulkar and England’s Mike Atherton were also suspended and fined for tampering.
Dear TNT Reader,
At The News Tribe, our mission is to bring you free, independent, and unbiased news and content that keeps you informed and empowered. We are committed to upholding the highest standards of journalism, as we understand that we are a platform for truth.
Apart from independent global news coverage, we also commit our unique focus on the Muslim world. In an age marked by the troubling rise of Islamophobia and widespread misrepresentation of Muslims in Western media, we strive to provide accurate and fair coverage.
But to continue doing so, we need your support. Even a small donation of 1$ can make a big difference. Your contribution will help us maintain the quality of our news and counteract the negative narratives that are so prevalent.
Please consider donating today to ensure we can keep delivering the news that matters. Together, we can make a positive impact on the world, and work towards a more inclusive, informed global society.
Donate Monthly Subscription Annual Subscription