Pakistan skipper Sarfraz Ahmed was livid with Ross Taylor for questioning Mohammad Hafeez’s bowling action openly. Taylor signalled to the umpire that he thought Hafeez had been ‘chucking’ the ball, and that caught everyone’s attention. A furious Sarfraz had an animated chat with the umpires to protest Taylor’s ‘unsportsmanlike’ behaviour.
The incident happened during the first ODI between Pakistan and New Zealand at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in UAE on November 7. Taylor alleged that the right-arm off-spinner chucked the ball a few times.
Here’s the video of the delivery and what followed after:
WATCH: @RossLTaylor accusing @MHafeez22 of chucking in his first over
Is that not for the match officials to decide?
Ball-by-ball clips & live-blog: https://t.co/d4eFVZLwQf #PAKvNZ pic.twitter.com/HVYwK3KWnE
— Cricingif (@_cricingif) November 7, 2018
Here’s what Sarfraz had to say about the whole incident in the post-match press conference,
“I want to say that Ross Taylor’s action was not sound. It’s not his place to signal like that which was visible on TV. It was disgraceful for me. I think his work is to bat. It would be better if he focuses on his batting. That’s what I complained to the umpire that his action is unsportsmanlike.”
Here’s how Twitter reacted to Taylor’s actions on the field:
Just seen this. I like Ross Taylor but what he does in this video is disgraceful. Essentially trying to get a fellow professional banned from bowling. Poor, poor form. https://t.co/vny36s8s30
— Rob Johnston (@RobJ_Cricket) November 7, 2018
It’s for umpires to umpire a match and players to stick to playing cricket. Here’s Ross Taylor telling the umpire that he thinks Mohammad Hafeez is chucking #PAKvNZ #Cricket pic.twitter.com/r7o053w5CJ
— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) November 7, 2018
But he scored a half-century
If you can’t play it, complain about it.#RossTaylor #PAKvNZ #RIPSpiritOfCricket
— Usama Sarwar (@usama_sarwar) November 7, 2018
Actually, he can.
Not Ross taylor’s job to be complaining about bowlers actions to the umpires #PAKvNZ
— zainab abbas (@ZAbbasOfficial) November 7, 2018
We see what you did there
Ross taylor single handedly triggered pakistan #PAKvNZ pic.twitter.com/XiEa6YEh1B
— roke (@roke18216930) November 7, 2018
This fan is hurt
This was not expected from Ross Taylor. It’s the duty of match referee and not him. Hafeez has been cleared by ICC and so far no chinks were evident in his bowling action. Concentrate on your game mate. #PakvNZ pic.twitter.com/ukxCLVUDqW
— Faisal Caesar (@faisalyorker2) November 7, 2018
Whoa! Whoa! Slow down.
Ross Taylor should be banned by @ICC disgusting misconduct @BLACKCAPS #PAKvsNZ
— Umar Farooq (@umaransari94) November 7, 2018
And then this happened
The Pakistan team management have made an official complaint to the match referee regarding Ross Taylor after the New Zealand batsman was seen on television suggesting to the umpires that Mohammad Hafeez was bowling with an illegal action #NZvPAK
— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) November 7, 2018
However, Taylor had the last laugh as he top-scored with 80 runs off 112 deliveries contributing to his team’s win by 47 runs.
The 38-year-old’s bowling action has been suspended by International Cricket Council (ICC) thrice in the past. This might not be a good sign for him as he nears the end of his career. Despite the way Taylor reacted to the situation, it was still a valid question that needed to be addressed.
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