Inzamam-ul-Haq Sheds Light On The Controversial Dismissal Of Sourav Ganguly In The 1999 Chennai Test

Former Pakistani Captain, Inzamam-ul-Haq has opined on an incident that took place in the epic Test match between India and Pakistan in Chennai back in 1999. Inzamam talks about a controversial dismissal of Indian middle-order batsman, Sourav Ganguly.

The 1999 Chennai Test match is one of the most famous Tests played between the two sides as the margin of victory for Pakistan was only 12 runs. Sachin Tendulkar struck a fighting 136 in the 4th innings while chasing 271. Tendulkar got out at the score of 254/6, what followed was a painful collapse for the Indian fans as the team was bundled out for 258.

At the end of the game, despite India losing the match, the Chennai crowd gave a standing ovation for both sides who played such a close and high-intensity encounter. The Pakistani team, led by Wasim Akram took a victory lap in order to acknowledge the applause of the crowd.

The catch was a doubtful one: Inzamam-ul-Haq

In India’s second-innings, Sourav Ganguly was dismissed by Saqlain Mushtaq. The dismissal, at the time, gained a lot of attention as it was not clear whether the left-hander was out or not. Ganguly tried to drive Mushtaq through the off-side. The ball hit the shin pads of Azhar Mahmood, who was standing at silly point, bounced off him, and the wicket-keeper, Moin Khan took the catch.

Ganguly waited for the umpire’s decision. The umpire didn’t think it necessary to consult with the third umpire and ruled the batsman out. However, subsequent replays showed that the ball had hit the ground, and Ganguly should have remained not out.

Indian off-spinner, Ravichandran Ashwin asked Inzamam-ul-Haq about the Ganguly dismissal in his chatshow ‘DRS With Ash.’

In a video uploaded on his YouTube channel, Ashwin asked, “In that Chennai match, Sourav Ganguly hit a drive; the ball went to the silly point where Moin Khan claimed the catch. Till date we don’t know if it was out or not out. The cameras were not that good in those days. Tell us the truth, whether it was out or not.” 

Inzamam told Ashwin that there were two people involved in this incident; Moin Khan and Azhar Mahmood. Mahmood, the all-rounder, was not in the playing eleven but had come on the field as a substitute fielder for Inzamam, who wasn’t feeling well. The former captain said that since he was not on the field at the time of the fall of Ganguly’s wicket, he feels that the catch and the decision was a doubtful one.

Inzamam-ul-Haq said, “I will tell you. There were two people involved, one is Azhar Mahmood, other one is Moin Khan. Ganguly played the shot. It bounced off a body part of Mahmood and Moin Khan took the catch. I cannot say anything clearly because I was not on the field and Azhar Mahmood was fielding as my substitute. I was not in the ground at the time of the dismissal, so I feel that catch is still doubtful.”

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