Umpiring is a thankless job. It’s an old idiom in cricket that umpires come to attention of the public only when they make a bad decision. Another example of this was seen when Pakistan and South Africa faced each other in Match 9 of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2022.
Pakistan’s off-spinner Omaima Sohai was bowling the 27th over of the South African innings. The South African batters took a review for a LBW decision on the 6th ball of the over. The TV replays showed that Sune Luus had edged the ball and hence the decision was overturned.
Now, the over should have ended after the decision was reversed, but the umpires apparently forgot about the ball count and one more ball (7th of the over) was delivered by Omaima. Luus took a single on that ball.
It would have been better if the third umpire had the license to intervene in a situation like this, to prevent such gaffes during a crucial World Cup match.
Legal 7 ball over… 😲 What’s happening?#PAKvSA #CWC22 pic.twitter.com/V3Y8GpF2Aq
— Arun 𝕏 (@TheBhatttman) March 11, 2022
South Africa defeat Pakistan by 6 runs
Talking about the match, Pakistan won the toss and skipper Bismah Maroof invited South Africa to have a bat first. Half-centuries from Laura Wolvaardt and Sune Luus helped the Proteas team put 223 on the board. In reply, Pakistan were bowled out for 217 in 49.5 overs handing South Africa a close victory.