CENTURION – A dropped catch and a controversial umpiring decision thwartedPakistan as South Africa made progress towards victory on the third day ofthe first Test at SuperSport Park on Friday.
Chasing a target of 149, South Africa were 81 for one at lunch after atense morning.
Pakistan made an ideal start when Hasan Ali trapped Aiden Markram legbefore wicket before a run had been scored.
Hasan and Mohammad Amir did not concede a run off the bat until Hashim Amlaclipped Hasan for four in the sixth over.ARTICLE CONTINUES AFTER AD
There were two crucial incidents with the total on 16, either of whichcould have swung the game in Pakistan’s favour.
Amla, on eight, was dropped by Fakhar Zaman at third slip off Hasan when heslashed hard at the ball, which flew at chest height to the fielder.
In the next over, Dean Elgar, on four, edged new bowler Shaheen Shah Afridilow to first slip where Azhar Ali appeared to take a diving catch.
On-field umpires Bruce Oxenford and Sundaram Ravi conferred beforereferring to television umpire Joel Wilson with a ‘soft’ signal of out,indicating they thought it was a clean catch.
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After looking at several replays including super-slow close-ups, Wilsonruled the ball had bounced and Elgar was reprieved.
The decision clearly astonished the Pakistan players and coach MickeyArthur was seen leaving his place on the players’ balcony and going to theadjacent office of match referee David Boon.
Television commentator Michael Holding criticised his fellow West IndianWilson.
“I’m convinced he was out,” said Holding. “I think the third umpire made amistake. The protocol says you have got to be 100 per cent sure thedecision was wrong to change it.”
In a similar situation, Indian captain Virat Kohli was given out in therecent second Test against Australia in Perth when television umpire NigelLlong found no conclusive evidence to overturn a ‘soft’ signal from theon-field umpires.
Elgar and Amla survived some testing bowling from the Pakistan seamers andgradually began to lift the scoring rate. Elgar was on 32 and Amla 45 atlunch. – APP/AFP
