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Watch: ‘A semi-appeal’ – South Africa’s punt on speculative Babar Azam review pays off

Babar Azam review
by Wisden Staff 2 minute read

Watch: Pakistan captain Babar Azam was dismissed after a late review by South Africa overturned the on-field decision against him at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai today (October 27).

Pakistan elected to bat first after winning the toss in Chennai and started poorly. Openers Imam-ul-Haq and Abdullah Shafique were dismissed inside the first seven overs as Pakistan lost their first two wickets by the score of 38.

The senior-pros Babar and Mohammad Rizwan then joined hands to add 48 runs for the third wicket. Rizwan looked specially pro-active as he raced his way to 31 off 27, hitting four fours and one six in the process, before being undone by a Gerald Coetzee bouncer.

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Iftikhar Ahmed, promoted to No.5, got himself in and got himself out as he fell for 21 off 31. At 129-4, Pakistan needed the pair of Babar and Saud Shakeel to stitch a big partnership. However, Babar perished soon after reaching his 50 in strange circumstances.

Tabraiz Shamsi bowled a length ball on middle and leg from over the wicket, turning in to Babar. He tried to lap the ball fine but seemed to miss it as the South Africans went up in a “semi-appeal” for a caught behind according to commentator Mark Nicholas. With not much interest being shown by the South African players, the on-field umpire gave it Not Out.

Surprisingly, after much deliberation, South Africa then went up for a review despite not appearing confident with their appeal in the first place. In the end, it turned out to be a masterstroke as replays suggested that the ball had brushed Babar’s glove through to Quinton de Kock, forcing the umpire to reverse his decision and send him on his way.

Babar fell for a score of exactly 50, off 65 balls, as Pakistan slumped further to 141-5.

Watch Babar Azam being given out after a late review by South Africa:

 

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