“Bad umpiring, bad rules cost Pakistan”: Harbhajan Criticizes ICC, Graeme Smith Defends DRS Decision In PAK vs SA Match

The ‘umpire’s call’ law in cricket has once again stirred up a heated debate, thanks to the intense World Cup 2023 match between Pakistan and South Africa at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The match featured multiple instances where the ‘umpire’s call’ came into play, leading to intense scrutiny and even criticism from former cricketers.

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In the World Cup match between Pakistan and South Africa, the ‘umpire’s call’ took centre stage. Rassie van der Dussen’s dismissal and Tabraiz Shamsi’s survival were the key moments that raised questions about this rule.

In the 19th over of South Africa’s chase, Rassie van der Dussen was given out by on-field umpire Paul Reiffel. The South African batter opted for a review, which showed the ‘umpire’s call’ on two parameters – the impact and the hitting. Despite this, because he was initially given out on the field, the third umpire couldn’t overturn the decision.

Conversely, Tabraiz Shamsi survived a close LBW shout due to the not-out decision from on-field umpire Alex Wharf. However, the DRS revealed that the ball was clipping the stumps. Still, the third umpire had to go with the umpire’s call, which was not out.

Former Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh was quick to express dissatisfaction with the ‘umpire’s call’ laws. He argued that Pakistan lost the match by just one run due to bad umpiring and called the ICC to revise the rule. According to him, if the ball hits the stump, it should be out, regardless of the on-field umpire’s decision.

“Bad umpiring and bad rules cost Pakistan this game.. @ICC should change this rule .. if the ball is hitting the stump, that’s out. Whether the umpire gave out doesn’t matter.. otherwise, what is the use of technology???” Harbhajan tweeted.

Since introducing the Decision Review System (DRS) in all ICC events, a specific guideline regarding the ‘umpire’s call’ rule has been established. According to this rule, if the ball-tracking technology projects that the ball would have gone on to clip the stumps instead of hitting them, the verdict will be given per the on-field umpire’s call. This margin for error was introduced to maintain a balance in ball tracking.

The debates surrounding the ‘umpire’s call’ rule often revolve around the uncertainty it introduces. If the ball-tracking technology is not certain that more than 50% of the ball was pitching in line, impacting the pads or hitting the stumps, then the on-field umpire’s call takes precedence. This raises concerns about consistency and the role of technology in decision-making.

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Harbhajan Singh’s critique raises the fundamental question of trust in technology. He argues that the ICC cannot be on two boats simultaneously. The cricketing world must decide whether to trust technology or stick with the umpire’s verdict completely. According to him, if the DRS shows the ball hitting or clipping the stumps, it should be ruled out, regardless of the on-field decision.

In response to Harbhajan’s criticism, former South Africa captain Graeme Smith pointed out that Rassie van der Dussen also got the short end of the ‘umpire’s call’ rule when he was given out. Harbhajan’s logic contradicted his argument.

“Bhajji, @harbhajan_singh, I feel the same as you on the umpires call, but @Rassie72 and South Africa can have the same feeling?” Smith tweeted. 

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