T20 World Cup 2024: Massive DRS controversy denies Bangladesh victory over South Africa, ICC rule exposed

The South Africa vs Bangladesh match in the 2024 T20 World Cup turned out to be an absolute thriller as the Proteas secured a 4-run victory against the Bangla Tigers on Monday. Bangladesh looked to be in a strong position to win the contest, especially when they needed 27 runs to reach the target in the last 4 overs. However, a loophole in the DRS worked in South Africa’s favor and resulted in the loss of a Bangladesh border, which ultimately proved to be the difference maker.

It all happened in Bangladesh’s 17th over of batting when Mahmudullah and Towid Hridoy were in the middle. The second ball of the over saw Mahmudullah attempt a swing but the ball hit his pads and ran to the boundary behind the stumps.

The referee raised his finger after a strong appeal from the South Africans and the ball was considered dead. Bangladesh reviewed the decision and the DRS showed that the ball would not have hit the stumps, so the on-field umpire had to reverse his decision.

However, despite the decision being reversed, the boundary was not credited to Bangladesh’s total as the ball was ruled dead after the umpire raised his finger. Even if the umpire was wrong, the dead-ball decision could not be overturned as per the current ICC rules of the game.

Mahmudullah received LBW wrongly and the ball went for 4 leg passes. The decision was reversed in the DRS but Bangladesh failed to get the 4 runs as the ball is dead when the batsman is given out. And South Africa won by exactly 4 runs. Tragic indeed#tapmad #HojaoADFree #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/A2KmVVLYB0

– Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) June 10, 2024

Several social media users have suggested that Mahmudullah was the victim of a loophole in the rulebook, including former Indian cricketer Wasim Jaffer.

“Mahmudullah was wrongly given out LBW, the ball went for four leg byes. The decision was reversed in the DRS. Bangladesh didn’t get the 4 runs because the ball is dead when the batsman is given out, even if wrongly. And SA ended up winning the game by 4 runs. Feel for Bangladesh fans,” Jaffer posted on X.

Mahmudullah received LBW wrongly, the ball went for four leg passes. The decision was reversed in the DRS. Bangladesh did not get the 4 runs because the ball dies when the batsman is distributed, even if it is wrong. And SA ended up winning the game by 4 runs. Sorry for the Bangladeshi fans. #SAvBAN #T20WC

– Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) June 10, 2024

What does the ICC rule say?

Here’s what the ICC rulebook says on the matter:

3.7.1 If following a Player Review request, an original Out decision is changed to Not Out, then the ball will still be considered dead when the original decision was made (as per clause 20.1.1.3). The batting side, whilst benefiting from the reversal of the dismissal, will not benefit from any runs that may have subsequently been accumulated from the throw if the on-field umpire had originally made a Not out decision, except any no-ball penalty which could arise under paragraph 3.3.5 above.

3.7.2 If an original decision of Not Out is changed to Out, the ball will be retrospectively considered dead from the time of the dismissal event. All subsequent events, including any scheduled races, will be ignored.

Law 20.1.1.3 of the Dead Ball law (the most important law in cricket) states that “a batsman is dismissed. The ball will be considered dead from the moment of the incident that caused the expulsion.”