EXPLAINED: THE CONTROVERSIAL DRS RULE THAT DENIED BANGLADESH 4 RUNS IN T20 WORLD CUP LOSS TO SOUTH AFRICA
At one point during Monday's T20 World Cup 2024 clash between South Africa and Bangladesh, the Asian giants were headed for a facile win.
Having restricted South Africa to 113 on a tricky Nassau County wicket, Bangladesh would've been happy with their efforts.
And it seemed that effort was good enough, after a steady chase that was headed by an ice-cool Mahmudullah and flamboyant Towhrid Hridoy. Both were going steadily and Bangladesh needed just 26 runs and 23 balls with six wickets in hand at one point.
That is when controversy erupted.
BET NOW: Exclusive sign-up offers and bonuses when you bet on T20 World Cup action (Select Territories)
What happened during the DRS call in BAN vs SA?
Mahmudullah was on strike to Ottneil Baartman on the second ball of the 17th over. Baartman delivered a ball that strayed on the leg, it flicked Mahmudullah's pads and trickled away to the fine leg boundary.
However, the umpire decided to adjudge him LBW. It was quite a harsh decision as the ball was well down the leg side. And, as expected, the decision was overturned on review.
But the damage had already been done. Bangladesh were denied the four leg byes they should've got though the out decision was overturned.
What is the DRS rule that denied Bangladesh four runs?
As per the Decision Review System (DRS) rules, whenever a batsman is given out by the on-field umpire, the ball is deemed dead. Even if the decision is overturned, the batting team will not get any run, even if they had run or if the ball had gone for a four.
For example, if a batsman is given out LBW but he had managed to run a single before the fielders got to the ball. Even if the decision is overturned, the run would not count.
READ: Pakistan's chances of reaching Super 8s explained
By how many runs did SA win against BAN?
As fate would have it, Bangladesh were denied those four runs. And they would go on to lose the match by exactly four runs.
If the umpire had not given them out and they had got four runs, Bangladesh would've forced a super over or even won the match.
READ: 'Big surgery is expected in Pakistan cricket' - PCB chairman