‌BAN vs SA | Twitter reacts to controversial Deadball loophole costing Bangladesh crucial points

Winning the toss, Aiden Markram’s decision to bat first seemed to backfire initially before Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller stabilised the ship with a 79-run partnership to steer Proteas to 113/6 in 20 overs. Bangladesh lost periodic wickets in the chase but Towhid Hridoy and Mahmadullah’s valiance almost sealed the deal before Keshav Maharaj kept his calm and defended eleven runs successfully in the final over. However, an incident that sparked debates in the cricket fraternity revolved around a Deadball loophole that ultimately costed Bangladesh a victory. 

On the second ball of the 17th over, Ottneil Baartman adjusted his line down the leg stump after seeing the batter shuffle across the line. Mahmadullah missed the flick and incurred a thud at the pad before a successful Bangladesh review overturned the original decision of out. However, the ball had rolled off the pads towards the boundary ropes and it would’ve been a leg bye-four in favour of the Tigers. However, as per the MCC laws, the ball becomes dead after it hits the pad, the bat, or any part of the batter’s body. Eventually, the Bangladesh unit fell short of chasing the total by four runs. Had the laws governing the game been flawless, the Tigers would have secured a couple of points. 

“If following a Player Review request, an original decision of Out is changed to Not out, then the ball is still deemed to have become dead when the original decision was made ... The batting side, while benefiting from the reversal of the dismissal, shall not benefit from any runs that may subsequently have accrued from the delivery had the on-field umpire originally made a Not out decision, other than any No ball penalty.”

The Twitterverse closely followed the game and pointed out this Deadball loophole after the conclusion of the match.

Stolen runs

pic.twitter.com/bRf7aCeb5C

— Bill Jax (@jax_bill74377) June 11, 2024

Wrongly given

Mahmudullah was wrongly given out LBW, the ball went for four leg byes. The decision was reversed on DRS. Bangladesh didn't get the 4 runs as ball is dead once batter given out, even if wrongly. And SA ended up winning the game by 4 runs. Feel for Bangladesh fans. #SAvBAN #T20WC

— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) June 10, 2024

Stunned moments

Bangladesh fans went nuts believing Mahmudullah had hit a full toss for 6 to win the match only to be stunned moments later when he was actually out caught a yard inside the rope at long on. 6 needed off the final ball now with Taskin in. pic.twitter.com/IPPe9I2TpH

— Peter Della Penna (@PeterDellaPenna) June 10, 2024

Catch under pressure

Bangladesh needed 6 runs off just 2 balls and the South African Captain Aiden Markram took this world class catch under pressure to dismiss Mahmudullah 🥶🔥👌#AidenMarkram #SAvBAN #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/W9Ajz7Y5he

— Saabir Zafar (@Saabir_Saabu01) June 10, 2024

Twist of the match

Catch that turned the match. Markam caught Mahmudullah when Bangladesh needed 6 runs from 2 balls. #SAvBAN #t20USAhttps://t.co/8Srz4Zgsyx

— Ganpat Teli (@gateposts_) June 11, 2024

Robbed

Bangladesh was robbed of 4 runs on a DRS. The ball on Mahmudullah was given out, went for a 4. Though his dismissal was reversed, BAN lost 4 runs (as per an absurd rule )& they lost the match by exactly 4 runs.#SAvBAN #BANvSApic.twitter.com/FHvTHZOTem

— Ganpat Teli (@gateposts_) June 11, 2024

Fewest runs

Fewest runs conceded in full 4 overs (men's T20 WC)



4 - FRANK NSUBUGA🇺🇬 v PNG, 2024*

7 - Anrich Nortje🇿🇦 v SL, 2024

8 - Ajantha Mendis🇱🇰 v ZIM, 2012

8 - Mahmudullah🇧🇩 v AFG, 2014

8 - Wanindu Hasaranga🇱🇰 v UAE, 2022



The 43-year old sets new record on his T20 WC debut!! pic.twitter.com/VaJfBEkRSv

— Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats) June 6, 2024

Three by him

Bangladesh have 6 World Cup centuries.



Mahmudullah has hit 3 centuries himself. pic.twitter.com/EvlLX4WseQ

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) October 24, 2023

For the nation

MAHMUDULLAH HAS DONE IT FOR BANGLADESH. 🇧🇩



Despite another horror batting show, Bangladesh manage to escape and beat Sri Lanka by 2 wickets. 😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/UfTogLjMPE

— Saif Ahmed 🇧🇩 (@saifahmed75) June 8, 2024

Man for crisis

Mahmudullah in World Cups:



23(46), 28(46), 62(62), 103(138), 128*(123), 21(31), 46*(33), 20(41), 28(41), 69(50), 27(38), 29(41), 41*(49), 46(36), 111(111), 20(41) & 56(70)



- The man for the crisis in big tournaments for Bangladesh. pic.twitter.com/l8KJQAJ8lE

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) October 31, 2023