Watch: Liam Plunkett Caught Tampering With The Ball
Credits: Twitter

Just ahead of the all-important World Cup, England fast-bowler Liam Plunkett might land in hot waters after a video of him allegedly tampering with the ball made the rounds on social media. The incident happened during the second ODI between England and Pakistan in Southampton on Saturday. The hosts beat Pakistan by 12 runs in high-scoring thriller.

Riding on a 50-ball century from Jos Buttler, England posted a mammoth 373 for 3. Buttler’s knock came after  Jason Roy (87), Eoin Morgan (71 not out), Jonny Bairstow (51) and Joe Root (40) laid the foundation with some crucial knocks. In reply, Pakistan remained in the game throughout thanks to a stunning century from opener Fakhar Zaman.

 Also Read: ICC World Cup 2019: Five Players Who Played Major Part in 2015 But Won’t Feature in This Edition

Even after he was out for 138 (106 balls) at the end of the 33rd over, Asif Ali and Sarfaraz Ahmed kept the visitors in contention. However,  England pace bowlers David Willey and Liam Plunkett held their nerve and took some crucial wickets to put England in the driver’s seat. With nineteen needed from the final over, Chris Woakes conceded just six to restrict Pakistan to 361 for 7.

Read More  IPL Live Streaming In India– When and Where To Watch RCB vs KKR Live In India? IPL 2024, Match 10
Watch: Liam Plunkett Caught Tampering With The Ball
Liam Plunkett (Credits: Getty)

But the game has been overshadowed by the recent video doing the round on social media. In the video, Plunkett appears to be scratching the ball with many thinking the bowler was trying to tamper with the ball. The alleged tampering could have been done to generate reverse swing in the death overs as Pakistan gave England a mighty scare.

Also Read: IPL 2019: Yuvraj Singh To Get A Chance In Playing XI For The Final?

Plunkett had  bowled the penultimate over in which he conceded 8 runs and picked up the wicket of Faheem Ashraf. He finished the game by conceding 64 runs in the 9 overs he bowled. Apart from Ashraf, he got the wicket of Haris Sohail.

Here is a clip showing Liam Plunkett’s questionable gesture:

https://twitter.com/ahmedwaqas92/status/1127493485429268481?

In case ICC looks into the matter, Plunkett might find himself in a tight spot.  Even the England and Wales Cricket Board can take some actions too. Recently the ECB showed they would not compromise with the reputation and integrity of the team by dropping Alex Hales from the World Cup squad after the latter was found guilty of using recreational drug.

 

An avid cricket lover, I just love this game more than anything. Writing about cricket keeps me closer to the game.