Pakistan cricket legend Wasim Akram believes that the uproar surrounding a non-wide call for a leg-side delivery in the India vs. Bangladesh 2023 World Cup match is unnecessary. According to Akram, it was an honest mistake by the umpire, and he criticized those who thrive on such controversies.
In the 2023 ODI World Cup’s 17th match, which took place at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune on Thursday, October 19, India defeated Bangladesh by seven wickets. Bangladesh batted first, posting a total of 256/8, a target India successfully chased down in 41.3 overs.
The match’s final over ignited a controversy when Bangladesh’s left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed bowled a delivery down the leg side, but umpire Richard Kettleborough did not signal it as a wide. Notably, this delivery saw Virat Kohli on the brink of his century, which he ultimately reached with a six off the same bowler, also securing India’s victory.
In a conversation on A Sports, Akram acknowledged that the delivery in question was, in fact, a wide ball. However, he downplayed the controversy surrounding it, stating: “It appears to be one of those genuine mistakes [by the umpire]. It was unquestionably a wide ball. [Regarding the controversy] This is for individuals who have nothing better to do and thrive on such trivial matters.”
When discussing Kohli’s remarkable batting performance, Akram commended the Indian cricketer’s exceptional fitness levels, noting that he had spent 50 overs in the field before coming out to score a century:
“He fielded for 50 overs, and even after reaching 90, he continued to strike big hits. That demonstrates an extraordinary level of fitness. This guy is in a league of his own,” the former Pakistan captain remarked.
