Watch: A footage from the Benson & Hedges World Series in 1993 has resurfaced on Twitter, of Javed Miandad, the Pakistan great, being denied a no-ball against Australia despite pointing out the umpires’ oversight in ensuring the fielding side keeps to the restrictions.
The incident occurred in the 12th match of the 1993 tri-series, also involving West Indies, as Pakistan chased Australia’s 260-8. Pakistan were 86-2, with Ramiz Raja partnering Miandad in the middle, when in the 24th over, Miandad pulled one to the boundary, and immediately gestured to the umpire that there were too many players manning the deep regions..
Miandad pointed out each one of the fielders to the umpires – Steve Randell and Terry Pue – and according to the commentators in the footage, the long-on moved back inside the circle after Miandad’s protestations.
“Javed Miandad just querying the positioning of the fielders. He hit that one very well, and as soon as he’s hit it, he’s turned to the square-leg umpire, saying ‘It’s a no-ball, there’s only three men in the circle.’ In fact the man has just come in from long-on, to make it four.
“So that no-ball wasn’t called even despite Javed Miandad’s protestations.”
The comments under the clip lauded Miandad’s game awareness and cricket brain, even as others chastised the Australian umpires for “sleeping”.
Gold! Remember watching this live. The ever alert Miandad, telling the umps that fewer than 4 men were inside the ring and hence should’ve been a no ball. Umpires sleeping. https://t.co/TtxfMo7U5A
— Salman Siddiqui (@scdkee) December 7, 2020
Another one from the Non-serious Umpires! Only a player of Javed Miandad class could make them realise their mistakes! #Cricket. #PCB
— Asad Baig (@asadbaig1) December 7, 2020
Miandad scored a 57-ball 41 and his 84-run stand with Ramiz Rama, who top-scored with 67, kept Pakistan in the chase. However, they eventually fell short by 23 runs.
Watch below the footage of Miandad pointing out the umpires error.
https://twitter.com/TrisportCricket/status/1335699303218745345