VIDEO | Hashim Amla gets a reprieve after a pleading Faf du Plessis stops him from walking off
The DRS has turned out to be a boon for many in contemporary cricket; invented with the primary objective of ruling out blunders, it has often been more than handy to overrule marginal calls. When Hashim Amla had no hopes after being adjudged leg before, Du Plessis' smart review gave him a reprieve.
After a clinical show with the ball, South Africa were all over Sri Lanka in what is supposed to be a dead rubber in context of the tournament. Chris Morris an Dwaine Pretorious ran through Sri Lanka’s batting and restricted them to a modest total of 203. The target wasn’t too demanding for South Africa and Hashim Amla alongside a fiery Faf du plessis were milking runs at ease.
While batting on 68, Amla was trapped leg before on the last delivery of the 31st over by Jeevan Mendis and the on-field umpire’s decision was out. The batsman started taking the stride back to the pavilion when Du Plessis asked him to review the decision, which he eventually did. Just when the ultraedge confirmed no bat involved, Amla was convinced of being out and starting walking back to the pavilion. In a comedy of errors, the pitch map showed the ball pitching just outside leg stump and the decision was overturned. Amla couldn't believe his luck and all he could do about this was just laugh and get back to the batting crease.
The duo went on to put up a staggering 175-run partnership and carried the side over the line. South African won the game by nine wickets but this episode made it to the highlights of the match