AB de Villiers took to Twitter to highlight his frustration with bad light practices after the final Test match between Pakistan and New Zealand was called off with three overs to go and both sides in with a chance of victory.
New Zealand needed one wicket to claim their first Test series win in Pakistan since 1969, Pakistan needed 15 runs to end their losing streak at home after they were beaten 3-0 by England in December. Umpires Aleem Dar and Alex Wharf took the players off before the either team could force a result, with spin being bowled from both ends.
De Villiers pointed out that New Zealand had the advantage in terms of stopping a Pakistan victory as they could opt to bring a seamer on at any time and end the Test match, the light not being good enough for the batters to contend with fast bowling. He wrote on his Twitter account: “Another little grey area in the rule book imo [sic]. If the fielding team is told to bowl spin because of bad light and they take the option, they should be forced to finish the overs with spin until the Umps call it off, cause they can bring seam on at any time to finish the match.
“If the batting team manages to get it down to 5 or so runs required, the fielding team can just opt to bring on a seamer. Not fair imo.”
De Villiers argues the convention adversely favours the fielding team in a close finish. Bad light has been a factor in both Pakistan’s home Test series in the last two months, and the light meter has been a constant feature.
Another little grey area in the rule book imo. If the fielding team is told to bowl spin because of bad light and they take the option, they should be forced to finish the overs with spin until the Umps call it off, cause they can bring seam on at any time to finish the match.
— AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) January 6, 2023
