The third umpire's decision that led to Shakib al Hasan's dismissal created a lot of discussions among cricket analysts, including former Australian all-rounder Tom Moody who expressed incredible surprise at the verdict and said the Bangladesh captain was clearly not out.
Moody also tweeted, “This is when you need the 4th umpire to step in and debate the decision before the wrong one is made! #PAKvBAN #ICCT20WorldCup2022 #umpires”.
From a promising start, the Tigers disintegrated and posted a moderate 127/8, which Pakistan chased down with 11 balls and five wickets to spare at the Adelaide Oval Sunday.
This is not the first-time Langton Rusere, who was the third umpire for the Bangladesh-Pakistan game, made headlines in this tournament as, just a day before the Zimbabwean officiated a five-ball over for Afghanistan against hosts Australia at the Adelaide Oval.
The incident Sunday happened in the fifth ball of the over.
Shakib charged down the ground against leg-spinner Shadab Khan as it hit his toes. The umpire had a good look at it and raised his finger but Shakib went for a review immediately.
Shakib was confident and didn't even bother consulting Nazmul Hossain Shanto at the other end knowing himself that he had hit the ball.
Also Read: Umpire error costs Shakib's wicket, and changes the game
The TV replay showed there was a spike in the snickometer when the ball went past Shakib's bat. As the replays continued to roll back and forth it looked crystal clear that there was a space between Shakib's willow and the ground.
But the third umpire Rusere stated that the noise had come from Shakib hitting the ground with his bat. The third umpire went on to check whether the ball was going on to hit the timber.
The replay indicated that the ball would have hit the stumps and eventually the third umpire stayed with the on-field decision and Shakib was given his marching orders.
Confusion was also created as Shakib was outside his crease and the ball would have had to travel around three meters in order to hit the stumps. Shakib was in disbelief and he didn't want to leave, standing in the middle of Adelaide Oval speaking with the umpires.
He was confident of having hit the ball and a few Bangladesh players were seen speaking with an umpire on the sidelines as well. But since the decision had been made, Shakib had to leave the field in disappointment and the Tigers skipper was visibly frustrated after such a decision.
Fans watching on and Bangladesh spectators in the stands simply couldn't believe what they had just seen unfold.
