Tabraiz Shamsi clarifies Quinton de Kock's action over Fakhar Zaman’s run-out; shuts up a fan with a reply

Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman got out in a sort of controversial manner in the second ODI against South Africa in Johannesburg on Sunday. The footage of his dismissal seemed to suggest that the Proteas wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock might have distracted the batsman while he was coming back for the second run, causing his runout. 

A lot of people on social media blamed de Kock for Zaman missing out on a well-deserved double century. On Monday, South Africa spinner Tabraiz Shamsi come out to show support for his teammate and also clarified the misunderstanding which happened from the fans’ point of view. 

Shamsi took to Twitter making for his point. In the tweet, the left-arm spinner clarified that de Kock was not pointing at the batsman, but asking a fielder to make sure he backs up at the non-strikers’ end. He noted that it was not his fault that Zaman turned around without completing the run. 

Not Quinnys fault the batman turned around to see: Tabraiz Shamsi backs Quinton de Kock 

“Just 2 clarify QDK was NOT speaking 2 or pointing at the batsman, he was asking a fielder to back up at the non-striker’s end Not Quinnys fault the batman turned around 2 see instead of completing the run safely which he should have done Stop the hate n Leave QDK alone #Peace,” the tweet from Shamsi read. Shamsi further clarified the same to a fan who questioned his involvement in the incident. 

Just 2 clarify

QDK was NOT speaking 2 or pointing at the batsman,he was asking a fielder to back up at the non strikers end

Not Quinnys fault the batman turned around 2 see instead of completing the run safely which he should have done

Stop the hate n Leave QDK alone#Peace✌

— Tabraiz Shamsi (@shamsi90) April 5, 2021

I was on the field and you were not… so you are the one making assumptions 😀

He was pointing at the stumps at the non strikers end to tell the fielder to back up there

You do know we are always supposed to back up both ends right no matter where you think the throw might go? https://t.co/L2wwHUIME2

— Tabraiz Shamsi (@shamsi90) April 5, 2021

The incident happened in the last over of Pakistan’s run-chase. With 31 runs needed from the last over, the visitors were looking at a defeat. Fakhar Zaman smashed the first ball of the last over to the long-off fielder, who threw the ball at the striker’s end. As Zaman was coming back to that end, de Kock pointed his hand towards the non-striker’s end. 

At this point, Zaman turned around and got slow in completing the run. The ball came and hit the stumps, as the southpaw was dismissed for 193. The fans erupted on social media with polarising opinions. Some suggested it was a clever ploy from de Kock while others called out his move as devious. 

Even after Zaman’s inspirational batting, South Africa won the match by 17 runs. The series is currently levelled 1-1, with the final ODI to be played on Wednesday.