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Was Fakhar Zaman 'cheated' by Quinton DeKock? Twitterati seem to think so

Was Fakhar Zaman 'cheated' by Quinton DeKock? Twitterati seem to think so

His controversial run-out during a match with South Africa has sparked a debate about cricket rules.
Updated 05 Apr, 2021

Cricket fans are upset at the Pakistan team's defeat to South Africa and Quinton De Kock "cheating" Fakhar Zaman of five runs.

Fans took the falling of Fakhar Zaman’s wicket hard at the end of a hard-fought battle against South Africa Sunday night. Since then, loud groups of cricket fanatics have taken to Twitter, creating a ruckus over their perceived “cheating” by De Kock and “poor officiating” by the umpires and match referee. Their cries have been echoed by cricket journalists and professionals around the world.

The deeply offended Pakistani fans are loud, but in all fairness, they’ve got a point.

Pakistan’s high-intensity run chase was led by opening batsman Zaman, our knight in shining armour, who played a tremendous innings, scoring a heroic 193 in 155 balls. The knock was record breaking, as he put up the highest individual score in a chase in ODI cricket history, and the second highest for a losing team. The way he got run out, however, is what sparked the immense controversy flooding your social media feeds.

Chasing 31 in the final over, Zaman faced pacer Lungi Ndidi for the first ball. He hit the ball down his off-side, and ran for a double with Haris Rauf on the non-striker's end. As Zaman made his way back to his crease, wicketkeeper De Kock’s gesture suggested that the ball, being thrown by Aiden Markram, was headed for the non-striker's end. Zaman, with his back towards the ball, saw the gesture and slowed down considerably, only to be stunned as Markram’s direct hit cut his extraordinary innings just short of his highly anticipated second double century in ODI cricket.

The internet went into a meltdown soon after, as fan claimed De Kock wilfully deceived Zaman, forcing the error that lead to his wicket. Cricket rules were searched up and published with tweets directly addressing world cricket’s governing body, the ICC, and the custodians of the sports’ rule book, the prestigious Marylebone Cricket Club.

The law being raised by observers and fans is Law 41.5.1, which states: “It is unfair for any fielder wilfully to attempt, by word or action, to distract, deceive or obstruct either batsman after the striker has received the ball”.

The MCC also addressed the controversy by highlighting the rule and said it was the umpire's call.

If the umpire had penalised South Africa for the "deception", Pakistan would have gotten an extra five runs in an addition to the two they would have completed.

People were divided on social media, with some calling De Kock's antics "the perfect dummy" and “clever cricketing” while others felt they were disgraceful and damaging to the “gentlemen’s sport”.

Cricketer Shoaib Akhtar also spoke out on the issue, saying he “wouldn’t call it cheating” though he does consider it damaging to the good spirit of the game. In response to his tweet, fans were quick to remind the Rawalpindi express of his own days, and his owns actions that allegedly damaged the said spirit of the game.

Cricket journalist Zainab Abbas was a lot more direct and purposeful with her tweet.

She did, however, later acknowledge that Zaman should’ve been more vigilant.

Cricket statistician Mazher Arshad called De Kock "cheeky".

He believed Pakistan should have gotten more runs from this situation.

Legendary fast bowler Waqar Younis too took notice of the incident and praised Zaman for his innings.

As it stands, Zaman is the only Pakistani batsmen ever to have scored a double-century in ODIs, accomplishing the feat against Zimbabwe in 2018. He now holds the record for the highest and the third highest ODI totals ever for a Pakistani with his 210 (Zimbabwe, 2018) and 193 (South Africa, 2021) only separated by the legendary Saeed Anwar’s 194 against India in Chennai, 1997.

Another incident that has sparked controversy took place in the 47th over of the same game, when South African captain Temba Bavuma dropped Zaman’s catch, only for the ball to then hit his hat, which had fallen on the field. This should’ve resulted in the Pakistan team being awarded five runs, in line with the rules, but the umpires seemed to have missed it.

In the cricket rule book, Law 28.2.2 states that it is "not illegal fielding if the ball in play makes contact with a piece of clothing, equipment or any other object which has accidentally fallen from the fielder's person." Had Pakistan been granted the five runs, we would have entered the final over needing just 26 runs off it, and fans argue that the game could have ended very differently.

But despite how outraged his fans may be, Zaman takes full responsibility for getting out. "The fault was mine as I was too busy looking out for Haris Rauf at the other end as I felt he'd started off a little late from his crease, so I thought he was in trouble," he told ESPN Cricinfo. "The rest is up to the match referee, but I don't think it's Quinton's fault."

It's a difficult loss to swallow, with a commendable battle fought though finishing just short. Pakistan eventually lost the game by 17 runs, and with the additional 11 runs that the fans think we should have gotten, that would've been down to six. That six makes the game feel whiskers away, had the "legal" runs been granted. We understand you're hurt Pakistan, but with Zaman owning part of his mistake, and the series still drawn at 1-1, we have much to look forward to, and much to look beyond.

Comments

Baccha Khan Apr 05, 2021 03:05pm
There is a thinking that there are devils ( Teufel) on this side of the World... This thinking triggers dis-proportionate actions. This thinking triggers collective defense. This thinking triggers. Another thinking, then.
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Azhar Apr 05, 2021 03:05pm
Quinton did nothing wrong he just pretended and the ball is coming to the bowlers end.fakhar was such a fool to look back and poor running
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Oversight Apr 05, 2021 03:22pm
Pakistanis having used to playing victim took this to twitter. So do not attempt to make it a global issue
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Goaemon Apr 05, 2021 03:22pm
I wonder how the rest of cricketing world would have reacted if the same was done by a wicket keeper from Pakistan. Would they have called it smart OR cheating and throw the book at team? History tells us that there seem to be 2 separate rules for Pakistan and the rest of the world. Perhaps impartial umpires would seen it differently!! Ultimately, like Fakhar said he should have finished his 2nd run strong.
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surinderkalirah Apr 05, 2021 03:23pm
Lack of sportsman-ship.
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Sid Apr 05, 2021 03:28pm
Fakhar is to blame in my opinion - In cricket we are always taught to run hard because you never know what can happen. What a great innings but spoilt by this silly lapse of concentration
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bhaRAT© Apr 05, 2021 03:32pm
It's a cop out! Cheaters got away.
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M. Saeed Apr 05, 2021 03:38pm
It was a fake decision. Now, the match must be drawn.
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MANSOOR NASIR Apr 05, 2021 03:40pm
Quinton 41.5.1. Not only Pakistan, but cricket lost as well.
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MANSOOR NASIR Apr 05, 2021 03:41pm
When a Brown or black does it, it is cheating, when a white man acts, it is cheeky and clever.
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MANSOOR NASIR Apr 05, 2021 03:44pm
Lesson to learn; Harris Rauf should share some blame, he saw and should have shouted "your end".
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MANSOOR NASIR Apr 05, 2021 03:47pm
An excellent match which SA had won by the time 100th over started. Only interest left was 200. Painful to watch the deceit and how whole SA team enjoyed it. Salt was rubbed when SA captain failed to recall the name of their tormentor.
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Anand Apr 05, 2021 03:49pm
Mr. Zaman seems to be a real gentleman cricketer.
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Hamed Apr 05, 2021 04:06pm
Cricket is a "gentlemans" sport! It is not "hooligans" sport like football.
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Shahid Mahmood Apr 05, 2021 04:13pm
It looks as if they all are cheaters. Shamsi, in his tweet, tries to defend Quinton De Kock with another lie. But no Mr. Shamsi, De Kock was not asking for some cover as pictures don't lie.
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Shahid Mahmood Apr 05, 2021 04:29pm
Two penalties of 5 runs, an extra ball, and Fakhar Zaman still at the batting crease, we may still have lost the match but who knows..
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dean Apr 05, 2021 04:33pm
Well Played Fakher but your run out was school boy stuff cannot complain De Kock did what he had to so that South Africa won the game. This has to go down to the coaches of Pakistan it is there job to make sure silly errors likes these don't lose them matches in the future.
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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad Apr 05, 2021 04:35pm
Well played Fakhar Zaman. Keep it up and hang on tough.
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Kashmiri Apr 05, 2021 04:36pm
I thought it was a gentlemen's game.
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Haris Apr 05, 2021 04:37pm
If there is a rule in place, then SAF should be penalized.
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Dr TM. H Apr 05, 2021 04:41pm
ICC should abolish Law 41.5.1 and allow cheating, what a disgrace for cricket. Umpires were somewhere out of game.
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Salman Apr 05, 2021 05:01pm
Good to see Fakhar Zaman showing sportsmanship by not blaming Quintin D kock
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arfan aslam khan Apr 05, 2021 05:13pm
WHAT a cheat the South Afercians cricket players are,They could not get his wicket and decided to cheat and won the match.Umpirs need to be trained with up to date rules.This game should be awared to Pakistan,OR should have been as a DRAW.
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Graham Barnes Apr 05, 2021 05:36pm
If Fakher is this gullible, then i wonder what the Australians will do with him.Very poor running by Fakher,he should take the full credit and full blame.
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Asad Apr 05, 2021 05:48pm
If someone has to blame then it is Fakhar Zaman, it is not his first time for being so stupid.
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Abu Bakar Apr 05, 2021 06:09pm
Yes really its made trouble for Zamam, we hope next time inshallah learn to this mistake but well played by fakhar.
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Ahmed Apr 05, 2021 06:15pm
If it wasn't cheating, it was most certainly deception.
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Tamza Apr 05, 2021 06:25pm
When a white’ish person ‘cheats’ they call it cheeky, or mental health, or ‘having a bad day’. When others do it guns blare. Suspensions happen. I say punish this de Kock fellow.
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Hadi Hassan Apr 05, 2021 06:49pm
Dekock has completely betrayed Fakhar Zaman. It was about to arrive. He immediately pointed the ball towards the back which caused Fakhar Zaman to look back and run out.
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jaredlee007 Apr 05, 2021 07:23pm
Dekock ridiculed Zaman after getting him out, so it was obvious that DeKock deceived Zaman by being cheeky. Regardless, it was poor umpiring as umpires missed this opportunity as well as another opportunity to grant Pakistan 5 runs in the 47th over. In a high pressure game, the umpires should have referred the run out to the third umpire making sure that there was no chance for any doubts.
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Memon Abdul Apr 05, 2021 07:27pm
I think there were enough professionals on the field to have called out the foul... If they didn't no use crying over it now... His body language says he wasn't interested in completing the run anyways.
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Waheed Noor Apr 05, 2021 07:31pm
Batsman, especially a senior batsman like Fakhar Zaman, should have situational awareness and he should have run full tilt. Not looking behind and SLOWING down.
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ABCD$ Apr 05, 2021 08:00pm
Quinton acted tricky and shouldn't have done what he did,but the target was high even if Pakistan were awarded 7 runs,Zamans fantastic knock definitely reminded fans of the equally magnificent knock of Saeed Anwer against India many years ago.
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sfomann Apr 05, 2021 10:30pm
Shame on DeKock and the empires. Had it been done by Pakistani, the whole world would have bashed our cricketer as cheaters.
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Ahsan Ansari Apr 05, 2021 10:32pm
Law is a law. Pakistanis have gotten used to not following the law and so do the umpires and South Africa.
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Syed Apr 05, 2021 11:18pm
Shoaib Bhdi, let’s not make a political correct statement. It is a clear cheating. FZ was clearly cheated out as well as Pak. You let the empires Scott free.
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Syed Apr 05, 2021 11:40pm
Shoaib Bhai, call spade a spade. It was a dead ball DQ was pointing at the other end, which compelled FZ to slow down. Dontlet the umpire get off so easily.
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Ga Apr 05, 2021 11:51pm
Let this be a lesson in future games.
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Pan Mat Apr 06, 2021 12:06am
What if Quinton did wanted the throw at bowler's end but the fielder made the an opposite call to hit batting end? Unless the ICC law states that "..it is the duty of wicket keeper to help batsman's cause..." this law will remain vague and shrouded in controversy as motives are hard to prove.
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Mamoon Qureishi Apr 06, 2021 01:02am
@Graham Barnes it is a gentleman's game not a fraudsters game. Are you suggesting being a simpleton is crime in Australia?
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Mamoon1 Apr 06, 2021 01:15am
FZ was running at snails pace anyway. And he got sold a dummy. Nothing wrong in selling a dummy. Captains and bowlers pretend to setup an offside field to make batter think the ball is going to be on offside but then bowl a yorker. Same thing here
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Zafar Yousufzai Apr 06, 2021 01:45am
Fight for right.
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Shazad Apr 06, 2021 02:09am
I don't have a problem with the run out but its the way D'kock behaved after the run out that really got to me. It was a really dis-respectful send off and pointing at and taunting a guy who scored 193 instead of giving him a standing ovation was truly unprofessional. Not only that but the SAF commentators on Sky were taking so much joy in this as well. They even said that he'd 'done' Fakhar. Meaning they knew it as deliberate
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Khan Apr 06, 2021 04:06am
To me, it seemed like the keeper was asking the fielder to throw it to the bowlers end.
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Farooque Fahad Apr 06, 2021 04:38am
Such theatrics have made us the laughing stock of the world.
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He Apr 06, 2021 04:46am
For future, bowlers should not be allowed to york or bounce a batsman or do a doors/googly as it deceives the batsman. Fielders should not move as batsman had expected the fielder to be where he was, by moving he cheated. Stop this silliness. We lost but we will learn and become better
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Laila Apr 06, 2021 04:59am
I am distracted by the pink outfits. Whose brilliant idea was that? No man, irrespective of nationality or team, should wear pink. At least leave that one colour for us females!
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Akil Akhtar Apr 06, 2021 05:06am
Quinton is showing poor form since his very poor attitude as a captain during Pakistan series.....Dhoni used to do the same thus ICC will not do anything against quinton.
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Roger Apr 06, 2021 05:15am
I second Shoib Akthar's comments. Great innings. This was the only way he could have lost his wicket.
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Roger Apr 06, 2021 05:25am
@bhaRAT© Could be argued the other way as well. It was one glorious innings from Fakhar and mature show of sportsmanship. I liked his positive attitude and belief that he could do it. Younis Khan should be thanked
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Smart Observer Apr 06, 2021 08:22am
@Azhar Agree
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fida Apr 06, 2021 08:52am
Pakistani are being sore losers. The fault lies with the batsman, why did he fall into the trap. If one is stupid, one has to pay the price. Batsman because of his stupidity failed to score his double century for sure. But Pakistan would have lost the match any how, because it was impossible for Pakistan to score 31 runs in the final over.
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Choo Tian Apr 06, 2021 09:07am
Well, it sure looked like a deception by QDC. No very sportsmanship like.
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Syed Ahmed Apr 06, 2021 09:36am
@Oversight agreed bro
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Syed Ahmed Apr 06, 2021 09:39am
Why crying wolf very simple, congratulations to zaman he played well, he should refuse taking players off the match
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Rock Solid Apr 06, 2021 10:04am
Personally would have loved Fakhar to continue but but....... he was at fault of not minding his wicket and crease, sledging also takes place in the cricket field for distracting the batsmen Match situation awareness is also a trait that must be developed
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Irfan ul Huq Apr 06, 2021 11:35am
Another time and in another case Azhar Ali also was run out in the same way stupidly. He thought that the ball had crossed the boundary line when it hadn't and there was no signal for boundary and he left the crease and he was run out. Pakistani coaches should pY more attention in teaching the very basics of cricket.
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Ehaab Apr 06, 2021 12:11pm
Qunniy is a cheater.
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Ramana Apr 06, 2021 03:17pm
What is the batsmen duty?
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IDK Apr 07, 2021 02:33am
@MANSOOR NASIR ...Haris Rauf would have been looking at the bowler's end and would not have been able to see De Kock's gesture. It is a lapse of concentration on Fakhar's part and (arguably) deceptive fielding on De Kock's part. That said, I think we know how much the Aussies and English would whine were this to happen to one of their batsmen. The Indians would be angriest of all. They shouldn't really mind, though. After all, they are the craftsmen and primary proponents of a much darker art: Mankading ;-)
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IDK Apr 07, 2021 02:37am
I think it is clear that what De Kock did constitutes deceptive fielding. Even if you can blame Fakhar for being made the fool, this should have been not out under the existing rule. Whether such a stupid rule should exist is a different matter entirely but as long as it does, apply it.
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IDK Apr 07, 2021 02:38am
@Laila ...it's for breast cancer awareness.
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Cye Apr 07, 2021 04:41am
That’s what the white man did to blacks in South Africa and to the world in general, CHEAT.
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Akil Akhtar Apr 07, 2021 05:39am
The performance of umpires in india and now in SA supports why neutral umpires are so important for the credibility of the game.
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Zulfiqar Apr 07, 2021 06:26am
@Laila it was to support breast cancer patients. Every year SA play atleast one game in pink.
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