Bangladesh suffered a heartbreaking four-run defeat against South Africa in their second World Cup game at the Nassau County International Stadium. A controversial decision in the 17th over proved costly.
In the 17th over, with Bangladesh needing 27 runs from four overs, South African pacer Ottneil Baartman bowled to Mahmudullah Riyad. Mahmudullah tried to flick the ball but missed, and it went to the boundary. However, the umpire gave him out leg-before. A DRS review showed the ball was missing the stumps, overturning the decision. According to the rules, the ball was called dead, and Bangladesh did not get the four leg-bye runs.
This decision was hotly debated as replays showed the ball was missing the leg stump. Tawhid Hridoy, who scored 37 off 34, expressed his frustration at the press conference, saying those four runs could have changed the match.
Hridoy was also given out leg-before by umpire Richard Illingsworth in a close decision. Bowler Kagiso Rabada had only appealed half-heartedly. Bangladesh reviewed, but the ball was just clipping the leg stump. Hridoy’s dismissal changed the game, and Bangladesh couldn’t recover.
When asked if the rules should change to allow teams to claim leg-byes during a review, Hridoy acknowledged the laws are out of their control but noted several decisions went against them. He highlighted that even minor decisions like wides can be crucial in low-scoring games.
After Hridoy’s dismissal, Bangladesh needed 20 runs. New batter Jaker Ali struggled, and in the last over, Mahmudullah Riyad had a chance to win the game. With six needed off two balls, he was caught at long-on off a low full toss from Keshav Maharaj.
Hridoy felt if he had stayed at the crease, the outcome might have been different. He pointed out that even top batters struggled on this difficult wicket, and although Bangladesh started well, they couldn’t finish strong.
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