New Delhi: A new rule regarding the slow overrate was in action in the India-Pakistan clash in the Asia Cup. The rule sparked many debates and discussions, leading Pakistan’s former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed into a new controversy. Earlier also, Sarfaraz has been into various controversies and memes on the internet.
The cricketer slammed a female journalist who called out Pakistan’s players to be unfit and drop catches. Sarfaraz tweeted, “Pak had the disadvantage after 17th over 5 fielders were inside the circle cuz of slow over rate & 1 of the so called female journalist on national TV bashing Pakistan team after a fighting match & saying na run karte hai na catch pakarte hai kamal hai bhi.” He did not name the journalist or the show, but he was surely unhappy with what was being said on the TV.
While the wicketkeeper-batter said so, there were mixed reactions on the internet. Though most of the people criticised his reaction and stated mistakes made by Babar Azam’s side, there were a few who agreed with Sarfaraz.
India ke bhi 5 fielder 3 overs k liye inside the circle the, ye to koi excuse nhi hua miya…???
— Bhanu Thakur?? (@BhanuThakur04) August 29, 2022
Bhi to ajeeb logic dai rahai ho slow over rate kis ki waja sai hua kya yeh captain ke zemadari nahi hai ?
— Shahid Ali (@ImShahidali55) August 29, 2022
Saifi bhai humay pata hai aap Alia Rashid ko bolna chah rahay hain lekin phir bhi bata dein ke ye aap bol kisko rahay hain?
— J110 (@jawismm) August 28, 2022
Bahi y they had cramps,y unfit,is this the way u play international cricket?
— Saba (@sgulsaba) August 29, 2022
Name and shame them who are criticizing team Pakistan today. They have put an extra effort today. Naseem Shah clicking 145 after injury during the game. Learn to appreciate when team Pakistan fight upto the last bowl. Well said Sarfaraz ??
— Mushahid Hussain (@mushahid345) August 28, 2022
Aliya rasheed or saifi bhaai ka purana phadda hai, chalta rehta hai lekin kal mujhe bhi aliya ki bat sun ke bura laga hai, inside circle ki waja se humne 19 over me 14 run khaye thay watna kuch bhi hosakta hai match ka result
— Aisha Bilal (@AishaBilal36117) August 29, 2022
No Doubt They guys fought till the Last Ball??❤️ pic.twitter.com/Np7K1PUOih
— Ayemanmalik01?? (@Ayemanmalik01) August 28, 2022
According to the new rule by ICC, which came in January, a fielding side has to be in a position to start the last over of a T20I innings within 85 minutes. If the team fails to do so (under normal circumstances) then it has to play with a fielder less outside the circle for the number of overs it was short of. India also had to suffer in the last two overs due to this rule. The time for DRS and injuries are taken into account, so cramps played no role here. Pakistan has a slow over rate under ‘normal circumstances’.
In the game, Pakistan ended up scoring 147 as Mohammad Rizwan scored 43 off 42 while Bhuvneshwar Kumar picked four wickets and Hardik Pandya picked three. In a nail-biting finish, Ravindra Jadeja anchored the inning with his 35 off 29 and Hardik finished the chase with 33* off 17 to take home the Player of the Match award.
