ICC World Cup 2019: Cricketing Fraternity Slams 'Soft Signal' After Imran Tahir's Catch Was Given Not Out

The match between South Africa and Pakistan saw an unexpected turn of events when the umpires ruled out Imran Tahir’s controversial catch after the umpires had given the soft signal of not out at the Lord’s.

Cricketing Fraternity slams Soft Signal Ruling

Meanwhile, Pakistan had a good start with Imam-ul-Haq and Fakhar Zaman establishing an excellent platform for the batters to follow. They were at 58 at the end of ten overs before the unexpected event turned out. The incident turned out during the 12th over of the match when Chris Morris hurled a short-pitch targetting the body of Chris Morris. The Pakistan batsman was waiting for this kind of length to unleash a big swing. Zaman gets under the ball and clubs it uppishly towards deep mid-wicket as Imran Tahir took a couple of steps forward and ended up plucking it.

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The South Africa spinner seemed confident with a clean catch, but the umpires appeared to be in confusion as they went to the third umpire. The soft signal referred was not out. The third umpire took time to give his decision as he tried to take a look from all the angles. After having a close look, he declared it as a not out. Tahir looked furious with the decision as he wants to talk to the umpires, but Faf du Plessis stops him. The Proteas skipper instead had a chat with the umpires, but the outcome remains the same and players had to get on with the game.

Read More: ICC World Cup 2019: Match 31, Bangladesh vs Afghanistan – Match Prediction

Meanwhile, the soft signal rule didn’t go well with the cricketing fraternity as they lashed out at the ruling. There has been many when the soft signal played a crucial role in the judgement, and there has been no occasion when the third umpire had overturned the soft signal decision. Former cricketers and pundits have called for overturning the soft signal decision and banned the ruling.

Twitter Reactions

The soft signal laws need to change. #unnecessary

— Scott Styris (@scottbstyris) June 23, 2019

Does there have to be a signal at all Scotty? Especially for a catch on the boundary, how can the umpires give any signal if they cannot decide?

— Alan Wilkins (@alanwilkins22) June 23, 2019

There is no way the umpires can see something in real time the cameras cant, are we trying to keep the on field umpires relevant in some way.? #SoftSignal #Nologic #PAKvsSA #CWC2019 #BadriBytes

— subramani badrinath (@s_badrinath) June 23, 2019

Why give soft signal if you are referring it to third umpire let me take the call if it’s out or not . soft signal ?? https://t.co/0M1RBPT4Wl

— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) June 23, 2019

Seen so many more catches where it's looked more doubtful and the soft signal has been Out by the umpires and over here it looked clean and the main umpires have gone not out with the soft signal.. Why can't the third umpire over turn it..strange #SAvsPAK

— Kartik Murali (@kartikmurali) June 23, 2019

So what happens if cameras aren’t working as can happen from time to time? Umpires need to make a decision as some stage, why not straight away with a “soft signal?” Might be in minority but I quite like it……Right decision made IMO? https://t.co/WIX8ugODDM

— Mike Hesson (@CoachHesson) June 23, 2019