South Africa players and coaching staff wore a look of disbelief after skipper Temba Bavuma refused to take the DRS for caught behind in the second innings of the first Test against Pakistan. Temba Bavuma was given caught behind off Mohammad Abbas and would have survived had he taken the review.
The Shan Masood-led team set a target of 148 runs in the final innings of the series opener at SuperSport Park in Centurion. South Africa lost three wickets for 27 runs in the last session on the third day. Tony de Zorzi (2), Ryan Rickelton (0), and Tristan Stubbs (1) didn’t trouble Pakistan’s fast bowlers.
Watch: South Africa Camp Stunned Reaction After Temba Bavuma’s DRS Blunder
Aiden Markram and Temba Bavuma gave a positive start for the home team in the chase during the first session on the fourth day. However, Mohammad Abbas provided an early breakthrough for the visiting team by dismissing Markram, who scored 37 runs off 63 deliveries with the help of six boundaries.
Abbas dismissed the South Africa captain in the 30th over of the final innings. Temba Bavuma attempted to play a shot down the track but inside-edged the ball, which was caught by Rizwan. The umpire raised his finger in response to an appeal for caught behind. Bavuma walked off without reviewing the on-field call.
Replays later showed that the right-handed batter didn’t hit the ball. The batter had to depart to the dressing room after scoring 40 runs off 78 balls, with four boundaries and a six. The South Africa’s coach and his teammates expressing their disappointment at the incident.
Have a look at the incident right here:
Temba Bavuma didn’t review this.
– Massive moment in the game, he wasn’t actually out but hasn’t go for DRS. South African camp couldn’t believe this.
#SAvPAK pic.twitter.com/D4F64ppygG
— Ahmad Haseeb (@iamAhmadhaseeb) December 29, 2024
Bavuma walks inspite of clear gap between bat and pad!
— Fantasy Cricket Pro 🏏 (Viren Hemrajani) (@FantasycricPro) December 29, 2024
Temba Bavuma’s wicket triggered a collapse in South Africa’s batting line-up. The Proteas lost the next three wickets for just three runs. David Bedingham scored 14 runs off 14 balls, while Kyle Verreynne (2) and Corbin Bosch (0) were dismissed for single-digit scores, leaving the home team at 99/8 in the chase of 148.
I Am Feeling Very Good – Mohammad Abbas
Speaking before the start of the day’s play, Mohammad Abbas shared his thoughts on returning to international cricket after a three-year break. Abbas said that he was feeling more relaxed than on the first day. The right-arm pacer admitted to experiencing pressure in his first innings.
“I am feeling very good, much better than the first day because I came back after 3 years, but now I am feeling relaxed. It was a different feeling in the first innings, a pressure like a debutant but now I’m better and I will give my best.”
“I will try to give my best today as well because I am the senior bowler and I will try to do my own things. I will do my best in the game, and bowl in the right areas. I’m trying to hit my basic areas and adapting to the conditions, there’s some help on the pitch or the air. Looking at the batter whether he is playing on the front foot or the back foot. I’m not worried about long spells, I am used to it. I am available for my country and will try to give some happiness to my nation.”
Also read: Watch: Rishabh Pant begs Rohit Sharma for DRS at MCG, but captain laughs it off