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Najmul Hosain Shanto looks dejected as he walks off the field after the loss against South Africa | Image: Getty
Bangladesh lost to South Africa by four runs in a T20 World Cup 2024 Group D match at the Nassau Cricket County Stadium in New York on Monday. During Bangladesh's chase, the second ball of the 17th over saw South Africa pacer Ottneil Baartman hit Mahmuddullah on the pads with a fuller-length delivery. It seemed like the ball would slide down the leg side due to the angle from which it was delivered but umpire Sam Nogajski thought otherwise and raised his finger. Bangladesh batter Tawhid Hridoy said the results could have been in their favour if that hadn't been given out.
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Mahmudullah requested a review. The Replays confirmed that the ball would have missed the stumps by some distance. The decision was overturned, but Bangladesh lost four extra runs. According to the game laws, the ball is considered "dead" as soon as the umpire raises his finger, and it stays dead even if the decision is overturned on DRS. Bangladesh lost the match by exactly four runs as South Africa defended 113, the lowest total in T20 World Cup matches.
"Honestly, that was not a good call for us in such a tight match. In my point of view, the umpire gave that out but it was pretty hard on us. Those four runs could have changed the match scenario," Hridoy said after the game.
Tawhid Hridoy scored 37 off 34 and was given out LBW off a Kagiso Rabada delivery where the replays showed that the ball was just about clipping the leg stump.
When asked about the dead ball laws, Hridoy said: "The laws are not in my hands. At that time those four runs were crucial. Umpires can make a call and they are human too and can make mistakes. They also didn't give wides which were wides on a few occasions. In this kind of venue where low-scoring matches are taking place, one or two runs are a big thing. I think those four runs or two wides are close calls and I was given out on an umpire's call and there is room for improvements."
Bangladesh have two points in two matches and will next face the Netherlands. It is going to be an important and must-win game for them.