'Whose at fault more' - Fans furious at cricket's governing body over umpiring blunders during Afghanistan vs Australia game

In this edition of the 20-20 World Cup, the debate on the umpiring standards started with the high-octane clash of the tournament between the arch-rivals India and Pakistan when the Umpire signaled a no-ball of waist height without consulting even once with the third umpire. Notably, it was also the ball when Virat Kohli smashed a six-off Pakistan spinner, Mohammad Nawaz. Subsequently, Kohli took no time in asking the square-leg umpire for a no-ball.

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But there is an incident that happened most recently in the 38^th Match of the tournament that was more than a mistake. It would not be exaggerating if one counts is as a ‘blunder’ on such a big level of cricket.

It all happened during the first innings of the game when Afghanistan’s Naveen-ul-Haq was introduced in the attack by skipper Mohammad Nabi. Later, Nabi ended up finishing his over only at the count of five balls which wasn’t noticed by either of the on-field umpires who were officiating the match at there at the moment.

This kind of mistake at the level of the 20-20 World Cup even after having all the possible means of modern technology available, is something that almost made a difference in a must-win game for the defending champions.

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The carelessness of the officials didn’t go down well with the cricket fans who could have been expecting a smooth conduct of the 20-20 World Cup. They took to Twitter for lashing out at cricket’s governing body.

Here’s how fans reacted:

So what are they gonna do about the 5 ball over 😐👀 #AUSvsAFG #T20WorldCup

— Samarth Oza (@SamarthOza711) November 4, 2022

5 Ball over in an ICC T20 World cup, Nobody counted on field umpires or 3rd umpire?
Whose at fault more..@ICC #T20WC2022 #AUSvAFG @cricbuzz

— K.P (@Kpkhan89) November 4, 2022

Woah. There was a 5 ball over? Would have led to lafda in local gully cricket and this the WC. No words. https://t.co/BUk4odhfNk

— Srinivas R (@srini_r_twit) November 4, 2022

There is no way something like "5 ball over" should have been allowed to happen in such high stakes game of a world cup.

Also,let go of the rigidity and allow third umpire to interfere when such obvious mistakes happen.

— Akash Kumar Jha (@Akashkumarjha14) November 4, 2022

Another umpiring error in this tournament as Naveen ul Haq bowls only 5 balls in his over.

📸 T20 World Cup #AUSvsAFG #T20worldcup22 pic.twitter.com/Ywrr6eBE7y

— Wolf777News (@Wolf777news) November 4, 2022

Speaking of the match, the Australians posted a total of 168 runs for the loss of eight wickets in the allotted 20 overs. Whereas the star all-rounder Rashid Khan showed amazing class and fought intently for his team but eventually, Australia could win the match only by a margin of four runs.