T20 World Cup 2024: Here's how DRS loophole helped South Africa clinch narrow 4-run win over Bangladesh

South Africa defeated Bangladesh in a last-over thriller on Monday to register their third win of the 2024 T20 World Cup. A low-scoring encounter in New York saw the Proteas bowlers defend 114 runs to seal a narrow four-run victory. However, the Group D contest has exposed loopholes in the ICC rulebook that ultimately denied the Bangla Tigers a decisive victory.

Needing 27 runs with six wickets remaining in the last four overs, Bangladesh were in a strong position. But the second ball of the 17th overturned the tide in South Africa's favour. Mahmudullah attempted a flick against pace bowler Ottneil Baartman, but the ball hit the batter’s pads and raced to the boundary behind the stumps. 

The fielding side made a strong lbw appeal and the umpire raised his finger. The veteran batter, however, decided to challenge the call and sent it upstairs. DRS showed that the ball would not hit the stumps and the on-field umpire was forced to reverse his decision. Bangladesh did not lose a wicket but was denied those crucial four runs as the ball was considered dead after the umpire gave it an out initially.  

According to ICC rules, a dead ball cannot be overturned even if the umpire's decision is wrong. Unfortunately, Bangladesh lost the game by four runs and the DRS loophole proved to be the difference-maker.

Mahmudullah was wrongly given out LBW, and ball went for 4 leg byes. The decision was reversed on DRS but Bangladesh didn't get the 4 runs as ball is dead once batter 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

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Here's what the ICC rulebook says:

3.7.1: 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 (as per clause 20.1.1.3). 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dismissal, shall not benefit from any runs that may subsequently have accrued from the delivery had the on-field umpire originally made a Not out decision, other than any No-ball penalty that could arise under paragraph 3.3.5 above.

3.7.2: If an original decision of Not out is changed to Out, the ball shall retrospectively be deemed to have become dead from the moment of the dismissal event. All subsequent events, including any runs scored, shall be ignored.

Law 20.1.1.3: of the Dead Ball law (the most important law in cricket) states that “a batter is dismissed. The ball will be deemed to be dead from the instant of the incident causing the dismissal.”

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