South African wicket keeper De Lock to face any punishment?
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South African wicket-keeper, Quinton de Kock, is unlikely to face any punishment over the run out of Fakhar Zaman, as the match officials believe that de Kock did not intend to trick Fakhar. According to reports, match officials re-watched the dismissal in a post-match meeting. The officials were content with de Kock’s actions as he called out ‘bowler’s end’ before the batsmen turned for the second run. ------------------------------
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The run out incident occurred during the final over of the second ODI. Fakhar was run out as he slowed down while coming for a second run as he believed that the ball was thrown at the other end. TV replay clearly showed that de Kock deceived Fakhar by acting that the ball was traveling to the other end and made Fakhar believe that he was safe.
The circumstance of Fakhar’s run out in the second ODI sparked a debate amongst the cricket fraternity as they felt Fakhar was distracted by de Kock. ------------------------------
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According to the match officials, the South African wicket-keeper did not intend to distract Fakhar, and he did not breach ICC law 41.5.1 on fake fielding, which states, “It is unfair for any fielder willfully to attempt, by word or action, to distract, deceive or obstruct either batsman after the striker has received the ball.”
With the series tied at 1-1, the third and final ODI between Pakistan and South Africa is scheduled to be played on 7 April at Centurion. South Africa will be without five of their main players, including de Kock, as they have left for India to take part in the IPL.
