Harbhajan Singh blames bad umpiring for Pakistan's defeat against South Africa, asks ICC to change rule

The 26th match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 between Pakistan and South Africa left fans in a state of uproar and controversy following a contentious Decision Review System (DRS) incident that resulted in the dismissal of Rassie Van der Dussen. With the match poised on a knife's edge, the DRS controversy has since taken centre stage, amplifying tensions and sparking intense debate within the cricketing community.

During the match's pivotal moment, Van der Dussen found himself at the centre of a contentious LBW decision, stirring a heated debate over the integrity of the DRS technology and its application in crucial match scenarios. The incident, marked by a glitch in the ball tracking system, triggered a series of conflicting outcomes that ultimately led to Van der Dussen's dismissal, much to the dismay of South African supporters and the broader cricketing fraternity.

The aftermath of the disputed decision witnessed a surge of discontent among fans, with accusations of favouritism and bias aimed at the game's governing authorities. Notably, former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh joined the chorus of disapproval, expressing his concerns over the DRS rules and the questionable use of technology in match-deciding moments. In a scathing tweet directed at the International Cricket Council (ICC), Harbhajan Singh emphasized the need for reform, advocating for a more stringent application of DRS protocols to ensure fairness and transparency in critical match scenarios.

"Bad umpiring and bad rules cost Pakistan this game," Singh lamented in his tweet. "ICC should change this rule. If the ball is hitting the stump, that’s out, whether the umpire gave out or not out doesn’t matter. Otherwise, what is the use of technology?" The former Indian bowler's poignant criticism of the current DRS regulations resonated with the frustrations felt by cricket enthusiasts worldwide, amplifying the call for a comprehensive review of the system's efficacy and reliability in crucial match-deciding moments.

Here's Harbhajan Singh's tweet on controversial DRS call: 

Bad umpiring and bad rules cost Pakistan this game.. @ICC should change this rule .. if the ball is hitting the stump that’s out whether umpire gave out or not out doesn’t matter.. otherwise what is the use of technology??? @TheRealPCB vs #SouthAfrica #worldcup

— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) October 27, 2023