'That was the difference' - Robin Uthappa expresses disappointment over Shakib-al-Hasan's controversial lbw decision against Pakistan

Pakistan managed to reach the semi-final of the 20-20 World Cup 2022 as they beat Bangladesh by five wickets on Sunday. After South Africa lost to the Netherlands in the first Group 2 match, earlier, in the day, the game between Bangladesh and Pakistan became a virtual quarter-final with the winner getting a straight entry into the semi-finals.

The match was also marred by a controversial decision of the Bangladesh captain Shakib-al-Hasan which left former Indian player Robin Uthappa flabbergasted. Pakistan wrist spinner Shadab Khan picked up wickets on successive balls in the 11th over including an lbw dismissal of Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan.

However, Shakib was unhappy with the on-field decision as he felt that he had edged the ball on the way to his pad. He reviewed the decision and it appeared from replays that the ball took the edge of the bat before it hit the pad.

However, it also appeared that the noise could be from the bat hitting the ground but the replay clearly showed that Shakib’s bat was in the air and had not touched the ground at all. Despite all the evidence available, Bangladesh captain was surprisingly given out by the third umpire too.

Former cricketers Tom Moody and Robin Uthappa were quite vocal about the controversial dismissal as they expressed their disappointment on the big moment in the game.

"Certainly, the evidence that we saw on television, it was clearly not out. There was definitely an edge on the outside. Certainly, the bat was not touching the surface of the pitch. That cannot be confused, that's where that noise came from. I was incredibly surprised to see that decision," Tom Moody, former Sri Lanka coach, said on ESPNcricinfo.

"Tom is putting it mildly. I would be flabbergasted if I was Shakib Al Hasan. There was, that much off the ground. That could be the difference between a 127 and a 150, with Shakib there as well. Shakib has not been among runs but he would be eager to score run in this game. That could be the difference," Robin Uthappa, member of India's 2007 20-20 World Cup winning team, added.

This is the best performance we had in 20-20 World Cups : Shakib-al-Hasan

Later, at the post-match presentation, Shakib did not say anything about the dismissal.

"At the halfway stage, we were 70/1. Wanted to get somewhere around 145-150 - would have been a reasonable total on that pitch. Knew it was going to be difficult for the new batters so wanted set batters to carry through to the end which did not happen. In terms of results, this is the best performance we had in 20-20 World Cups. Could have done better. But having said that, with the new guys coming in, with the changes, this is the best we could expect. On my own performance - I could have done better. As long as I am fit and performing, I would love to play," said Shakib.

Pakistan will play the first semi-final against New Zealand on 9^th November in Sydney, while India and England will play the second semi-final on 10^th November in Adelaide.