Fakhar Zaman was dismissed for a magnificent 193 but it needed a bit of deception from Quinton de Kock to send him back, raising doubts of ‘fake fielding’.
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The second ODI between South Africa and Pakistan in Johannesburg witnessed an absolute masterclass from Fakhar Zaman. The left-hander, who is Pakistan’s only double centurion, blasted 193 but Pakistan fell short by 17 runs. Zaman broke a slew of records during his knock. This was the highest individual score while chasing in an ODI. Zaman also registered the highest score in an ODI in a losing cause. However, his run-out caused some controversy as it involved a fair bit of deception.
Heading into the final over, Pakistan needed 30 for the win and Zaman needed eight runs for his double ton. In the first ball, Zaman thumped a full ball to long off. He wanted to come back for the second. However, in a moment of gamesmanship, Quinton de Kock fooled Zaman. De Kock pointed out that the throw would go to the bowler’s end. Zaman stuttered and looked back. Aiden Markram, though, threw at the striker’s end. Zaman was caught unawares and de Kock allowed the throw to hit the stumps directly. Zaman was well short and South Africa levelled the series.
The dismissal, though, has triggered a sharp outburst on social media. Was De Kock guilty of ‘fake fielding’? These are the rules laid out in the ICC playing conditions.
According to the ICC law, de Kock was guilty and Zaman should have gotten his double ton. According to the law 41.4 in the ICC playing conditions when it comes to distracting a striker, it states, “It is unfair for any fielder deliberately to attempt to distract the striker while he is preparing to receive or receiving a delivery. If either umpire considers that any action by a fielder is such an attempt, he shall immediately call and signal Dead ball and inform the other umpire of the reason for the call.”
In addition, the law further states, “The bowler’s end umpire shall award 5 Penalty runs to the batting side. They will inform the captain of the fielding side, the batsmen and, as soon as practicable, the captain of the batting side of the reason for the action. Neither batsman shall be dismissed from that delivery and the ball shall not count as one of the over.”
If one looks at the dismissal, you can see De Kock clearly deceive Zaman. Under the law, in 2017, Marnus Labuschagne was the first player to be penalized for fake fielding. In a JLT Cup match. Labuschagne, fielding at cover, dived to his right and mocked a throw as the ball had passed him. Uppal stopped in his stride, hesitated for a moment, but eventually finished the run. The umpires consequently awarded five runs to CA XI for violating the law.
According to the laws, Zaman was robbed of a double ton. If one looks at the law, then de Kock is guilty. However, the umpires have not deemed it to be unfair fielding. It was indeed a sad way for a great knock to end.
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