Caption: Controversy as Antigua and Barbuda Falcons Imad Wasim, left, is adamant that he got an edge before the ball hit his pad and wanted the TV umpire’s ‘out’ decision to be reversed with TKR captain Kieron Pollard wanting him to leave the field
By Prior Beharry
A verdict by the TV umpire to overturn a “not out” decision by the on field umpire in a leg before wicket (lbw) decision caused a delay of close to 12 minutes in a group stage game of the 2024 Caribbean Premier League between Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) and the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons on Thursday at the Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain.
The chaos began on the second ball of the tenth over, shortly after Sunil Narine had dismissed Hassan Khan for 36. With the Falcons needing 67 runs off 65 balls, Wasim faced his first delivery and was struck on the pads.
Umpire Christopher Taylor initially ruled it “not out,” but Trinbago’s captain, Kieron Pollard, opted for a review after Narine and wicketkeeper Nicholas Pooran were adamant that Wasim was out. Ball-tracking technology suggested the ball was hitting the leg stump, seemingly sealing Wasim’s fate with a golden duck. TV umpire Nigel Duguid ruled that was Wasim out.
However, Wasim was confident he had edged the ball, a claim supported by big screen replays. As he began to walk off, animated discussions ensued between him, the umpires, and even Falcons’ assistant coach Curtly Ambrose, who protested from the sidelines. Ambrose was seen on the television very upset.
Ultimately, the decision was reversed to “not out” after confirming the inside edge, igniting further protests from Pollard and TKR coach Phil Simmons. The dispute resulted in a 12-minute delay, with TKR visibly displeased with the outcome.
Pollard was telling umpires Taylor and Patrick Gustard that Wasim had walked out of the field and therefore cannot return to bat according to International Cricket Council (ICC) rules.
But the Falcons’ camp was saying that he left the field after the umpire had initially given him out; and returned after the wrong decision was overturned.
Wasim returned to the crease and later secured the victory for the Falcons, adding a dramatic finish to an already eventful match.
Pollard was cautious after the game on the issue, saying, “If I speak, I’ll get into trouble. So I better stay quiet on that.”
Falcons captain Chris Green said, “Chaos, absolute chaos. I don’t know what went on. He was given out when he shouldn’t have been, and then he stood over the rope and he probably shouldn’t have – but he was told to. Absolute chaos. I don’t know what happened, but this tournament continues to entertain in different ways.”
He said, “Really happy with the win. We outplayed them in all facets of the game tonight, and we thoroughly deserve that win.”
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