South Africa’s players and coaching staff wore a look of disbelief after skipper Temba Bavuma refused to take a DRS as he was caught behind in the second innings of the first Test against Pakistan. Temba Bavuma was caught behind Mohammed Abbas and could have been spared had he checked.
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 final session on day three. Tony De Zorzi (2), Ryan Rickleton (0), and Tristan Stubbs (1) did not trouble the Pakistani fast bowlers.
Watch: Stunned reaction of the South African camp after Temba Bavuma’s blunder in the DRS
Aiden Markram and Temba Bavuma gave the home team a positive start in the chase during the first session on day four. However, Mohammad Abbas made an early breakthrough for the visitors by dismissing Markram who scored 37 runs off 63 deliveries with the help of six boundaries.
Abbas sent off the South African captain in the 30th minute of the final round. Temba Bavuma tried to play a shot down the track but the ball was on its inbounds, which was caught by Rizwan. The referee raised his finger in response to his arrest appeal. Bavuma walked out without reviewing the field call.
Replays later showed that the right-handed batter had not hit the ball. The batsman had to leave for the dressing room after scoring 40 runs off 78 balls, with four boundaries and a six. The South African coach and his teammates expressed their disappointment over the incident.
Take a look at the incident here:
Temba Bavuma has not reviewed this.
– Huge moment in the match, he wasn’t actually off the field but he didn’t go to the DRS. The South African camp could not believe this.
#savpak pic.twitter.com/D4F64ppygG
– Ahmed Hasib (@iamahmadhaseb) December 29, 2024
Bavuma walks despite there being a clear gap between the bat and the pad!
— Fantasy Cricket Pro (Viren Hemrajani) (@FantasycricPro) December 29, 2024
Temba Bavuma’s wicket has caused South Africa’s batting line-up to collapse. The Proteas lost their next three wickets by just three runs. David Bedingham scored 14 runs off 14 balls, while Kyle Verini (2) and Corbin Bush (0) were dismissed for single-digit scores, leaving the home team at 99/8 chasing 148.
I feel very good – Muhammad Abbas
Speaking before the start of today’s play, Mohammad Abbas shared his thoughts on returning to international cricket after a three-year break. Abbas said he feels more comfortable than he did on the first day. The right-arm fast bowler admitted that he was under pressure in his first innings.
“I feel very good, much better than the first day because I came back after 3 years, but now I feel relaxed. It was a different feeling in the first rounds, pressure like a debutant but now I am better and I will give my best.”
“I will try to do my best today as well because I am a big player and I will try to do my own thing. I will do my best in the game, hitting in the right areas. I am trying to hit my target. The basic areas and adapting to the conditions, there is some help on the pitch or in the air. Looking at “The player, whether he plays on the front foot or the back foot, I’m not worried about long periods, I’m used to it. I’m available for my country and I will try to bring some happiness to my nation.”
Also Read: Watch: Rishabh Pant pleads with Rohit Sharma for DRS at MCG, but captain laughs at him
