‘Third class decision from third umpire’ – Fans fume over Sarfaraz Ahmed’s controversial decision by third umpire on Day 3 of Pak vs NZ second Test

The second Test between Pakistan and New Zealand headed into its moving Day 3 on Wednesday. Pakistan resumed their innings on 154/3 with Imam-ul-Haq unbeaten on 74 and Saud Shakeel on 13. The duo continued their 55-run stand as Pakistan were 295 runs behind New Zealand’s score. Their partnership eventually ended on 83 as Imam-ul-Haq was dismissed by Tim Southee. Imam’s dismissal brought Sarfaraz Ahmed to the crease who added 150 runs for the fifth wicket with Saud Shakeel. However, it was the dismissal of Sarfaraz that turned out to be the talking point of Day 3.

The incident took place on the third ball of the 100^th over of Pakistan’s innings towards the end of the second session bowled by Daryl Mitchell. Mitchell bowled a delivery down the leg side which Sarfaraz tried to flick on the leg side. However, he ended up missing the ball completely and got his back foot out of the crease. New Zealand wicketkeeper Tom Blundell collected the ball from way down the leg side and dislodged the bails.

The square-leg umpire referred the decision to the third umpire. The replay showed that Sarfaraz had brought his foot back into the crease but lifted it again to properly ground it. It was that at very moment that Blundell dislodged the bails when Sarfaraz lifted his foot for a micro-second.  After taking a long look, third umpire Ahsan Raza ruled Sarfaraz out which ended his 78-run knock. Blundell’s brilliant presence of mind helped New Zealand break the 150-run stand and get their fifth wicket.

https://twitter.com/Altafmmd/status/1610595211121655811?s=20&t=iOjbfGTM1fELXYykBTorcw

https://twitter.com/TMDilshan_23/status/1610578789872041989?s=20&t=LgKadMF3V3CS_EEkizuurw

Sarfaraz Ahmed became the second Pakistan wicketkeeper to score 6,000 runs

Coming back to the match, Sarfaraz continued his incredible form in the series as he scored his third consecutive half-century after his Test return. He returned to the Test team after almost four years during the first Test of the series and scored 86 and 53 in two innings respectively.

During his innings, he also became the only the second Pakistan wicketkeeper to score 6,000 runs in international cricket after Kamran Akmal. Apart from Sarfaraz, Imam-ul-Haq (83) and Saud Shakeel, who scored a century, were the top performers for Pakistan in the first innings.

Meanwhile, Twitter was abuzz with several reactions on Sarfaraz’s dismissal on Day 3. Here are some of the Tweets:

https://twitter.com/IzharHu36412359/status/1610606037245267968?s=20&t=iOjbfGTM1fELXYykBTorcw

https://twitter.com/nigarbaloch5/status/1610595703478456322?s=20&t=iOjbfGTM1fELXYykBTorcw

https://twitter.com/nigarbaloch5/status/1610591528531152897?s=20&t=iOjbfGTM1fELXYykBTorcw

Related Posts

‘Pita ji mein phir se failho gaaya’ – Fans react as New Zealand beating Pakistan, Green Brigade drops to number three in ODI rankings

• May 8, 2023

‘Gaya ye series bhi’- Pakistan cricket fans worried as New Zealand take lead in first innings with Kane Williamson century

• Dec 28, 2022

Watch: Babar Azam’s ghostly stare at journalist for cheeky claim, walks out of press conference

• Dec 31, 2022

‘King of red-ball cricket’ – Fans in awe of Kane Williamson as he scores his fifth double-hundred in first Test against Pakistan

• Dec 29, 2022