A fiery return throw from Bangladesh quick Khaled Ahmed hit Kyle Verreynne, stationed inside his crease, leading to flared tempers and an intervention from the on-field umpires during the second South Africa-Bangladesh Test.
Off the fifth ball of the 95th over of South Africa’s first innings, Khaled cramped Verreynne for room with a back-of-length delivery. The striker played it back to Khaled, who picked up the ball and hurled it towards the striker’s stumps, in the process hitting Verreynne’s bat. The batter, who didn’t appear to have any intention of running a single, looked agitated and immediately went up to have a word with Khaled, despite the latter offering an apology.
The incident forced umpire Marais Erasmus to have a word with Bangladesh skipper Mominul Haque. Commentator Pommy Mbangwa was left unimpressed with the proceedings as well, saying, “There’s aggression and there’s aggression, and there’s a way to do it. There is a way and you got to stay within the parameters. He [striker] is going nowhere, and if you throw it at him, you could hurt him. It’s not right, it’s not ideal. Got to remain in control of yourself, so important.”
Absolutely unnecessary, embarrassing, and disgraceful. Surely this warrants a fine + demerit points for Khaled Ahmed. Awful attempt to show aggression.
Maybe it's just me, but there seems to be an attitude issue that needs to be fixed when it comes to Bangladesh cricket. #SAvBAN pic.twitter.com/ElgW75oktT
— Abhai (@Abhai_BTTG) April 10, 2022
Verreynne was dismissed off Khaled’s next over: a fuller length delivery nipped back in, sneaking through the gap between bat and pad to rattle his middle stump. Khaled offered a big stare followed by a roar, with the South Africa player was walking back for 22 off 48 deliveries.
South Africa went on to clinch the series 2-0, after winning the second Test by 332 runs.
