"Keshav Maharaj Told Me...": South Africa Star Opens Up About Crucial DRS Call Against Pakistan In Cricket World Cup 2023

Tabraiz Shamsi was palpably relieved after surviving a close leg before appeal on 'Umpire's Call' as that one major decision as all but brought curtains on Pakistan's Cricket World Cup 2023 campaign after a one-wicket defeat to South Africa, their fourth on trot in the tournament. Chasing 271, the Proteas were down to the final pair, and Shamsi faced a strong LBW appeal off Haris Rauf's bowling, which was given not out by the on-field umpire. As a convinced Rauf opted for the review, it was the 'Umpire's Call' that handed Shamsi the much-needed lifeline by the barest of margins, which somewhat proved to be the decisive factor in the encounter.

"When I walked down the wicket, Keshav (Maharaj) told me that it was sliding down the wicket. So, I felt cool about it," he told reporters after the conquest.

Maharaj, whose calculated approach was lauded by one and all felt that DRS calls can go either way and South Africa as a unit felt same when Rassie van der Dussen got a contentious leg-before decision off Usama Mir's bowling when there was confusion with regards to Umpire's Call and what showed on replay.

As the on-field umpire adjudged him out, the review showed a double umpire's call, which was heart-breaking for the Proteas.

However, Maharaj felt that despite having mixed feelings, the team had to accept what the technology said.

"Obviously, we felt differently. But when the technology says otherwise, we have to accept it."

Talking about the chase, Shamsi said that since they had time and deliveries left, they believed to get the job done.

Shamsi admitted that Pakistan pacers were getting the old ball to reverse.

"We knew we had a lot of time, so it was just a matter of getting forward and putting the bat in the way. They