WTC Final 2023: The cricketing world has been taken by surprise as former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali levies allegations against the Australian side. In his recent statement, Ali claimed Australia manipulated the ball on Day 2 of the World Test Championship final against India.
The 52-year-old former international cricketer has raised questions about Australia’s ability to get the ball to reverse swing far earlier than expected. According to him, the Dukes ball, which was in play, typically requires at least 40 overs to reverse swing. However, Pat Cummins and his team managed to achieve this feat in just 15 overs.
This early reverse swing gave Australia a clear advantage. It played a decisive role in their dismissal of several Indian batsmen, including the ever-reliable Cheteshwar Pujara. The Australian bowling attack skillfully exploited the reverse swing, unsettling the Indian batting lineup.
Expressing his disappointment, Ali said, “Australia clearly played with the ball and no one is talking about it.” He voiced his criticism towards the match officials and commentators for their apparent oversight of the issue. According to Ali, the ball’s unexpected behaviour should have raised eyebrows among batters and officials alike.
The evidence he provides is intriguing. He cited the instance when Mohammed Shami was bowling in the 54th over. The ball moved back into Steve Smith with the shine on the outside, a movement Ali claims is not a reverse swing.
Ali’s concerns extend to specific overs where anomalies in the ball’s behaviour were noticed. He particularly pointed out the overs when Indian captain Virat Kohli was dismissed. According to Ali, the direction of the ball’s shine and its actual movement did not match.
Basit Ali claims that Australia tampered with the ball in the WTC Final 2023
He also cited Ravindra Jadeja’s batting, where the ball’s trajectory seemed unusual. “Jadeja was hitting the ball on the on-side and the ball was flying over point,” Ali noted, questioning the umpires’ attention to detail.
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The former Pakistani cricketer’s accusations hold severe implications. Ball tampering is a grave offence in cricket, one that has previously led to serious consequences for players and teams. If his allegations prove true, Australia’s win could be tainted with controversy.
However, it is important to note that these are still allegations. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has yet to respond or investigate these claims. Until a thorough investigation is conducted, Ali’s claims remain speculative.
In conclusion, Basit Ali’s bold accusations against Australia have stirred up the cricketing world. His claims have triggered debates and discussions among fans, analysts, and former cricketers alike. As we wait for official comments from the ICC or the involved teams, the controversy continues to cast a shadow over the World Test Championship final.
