ZIM vs IND | Twitter in splits as umpire abruptly stops steaming Khaleel to verify over status

07/13/2024

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An underrated aspect of refereeing any sport has always been the ability to put aside ego and be accountable for any mistakes. Umpire Iknow Chabi practised the principle with aplomb in Harare by ensuring a Khaleel Ahmed over was still underway, even if it did lead to a slightly comical moment.

India put up a clinical display with the ball first up on a fresh deck at Harare Sports Club in the fourth T20I to restrict hosts Zimbabwe to a subpar total of 152/7. Khaleel Ahmed impressed yet again with two wickets for 32 runs in his four overs despite Shivam Dube letting a catch slip off his bowling but the skills with the ball weren't the only enthralling aspect of Khaleel's display on Saturday. The right-arm quick was involved in an absurd exchange with the umpire at one point, involving a rare check upstairs to verify the status of the over.

With Sikandar Raza on strike, Khaleel galloped in to bowl the final delivery of the 17th over but was stopped midway through his run-up by frantic calls of 'wait' by the umpire Iknow Chabi. The pacer was understandably confused and asked the Zimbabwean what the interruption was about, to which the official clarified that he was unsure whether six legitimate balls had already been delivered in the over. Iknow had a sheepish smile on his face while Khaleel patiently waited at the crease for the confirmation and was eventually told that there was indeed a ball left to complete the over.

Twitterati was thoroughly amused by the unlikely interaction on the field and took to social media to express their immediate reactions.

It's Khaleel's reaction for everyone! LOL xD

pic.twitter.com/kRcy8MG2cT
— Gill Bill (@bill_gill76078) July 13, 2024

Good one from Raza tho!

Zimbabwe 152/7 (20)

Sikandar Raza 46(28)

Khaleel Ahmed 4-0-32-2 pic.twitter.com/hdUZPWZUvJ
— Sam Sam (@trdrsam300) July 13, 2024

Yeah!

In the 4th T20I, Clive Madande is out after scoring 7 runs off 5 balls, caught by Rinku Singh and bowled by Khaleel Ahmed. Zimbabwe is now at 152/7.
— Tҽαɱ Ɲιтуα™⁩ 🆇 (@taashi2016) July 13, 2024

He is very decent with the slower balls!

Khaleel Ahmed is having a great time tbh!

2 Wickets off the final over🔥#ZIMvsIND
— CricTalk (@CricTalk29) July 13, 2024

Khaleel rocks batter shocks!

Zimbabwean batters are unable to read Khaleel Ahmed's slower ones.

Something head coach Justin Sammons will have to look into. pic.twitter.com/FYXRkBebnu
— Udit K (@Merovaeous) July 13, 2024

What?

Khaleel Ahmed is rubbish at the death, not an India level player.
— Vipul Ghatol 🇮🇳 (@Vipul_Espeaks) July 13, 2024

No comments!

Sala khaleel ahmed jaisa mediocre player indian team mein khek kaise rahe hain yaar!!?
— Debasish Singh (@cricdebasish) July 13, 2024

You gotta take his personal interview for this!

Why khaleel Ahmed choosed playing cricket ??
— Sumanth7 (@YeligarSumanth) July 13, 2024

Rinku does no mistakes here!

In the 4th T20I, Clive Madande is out after scoring 7 runs off 5 balls, caught by Rinku Singh and bowled by Khaleel Ahmed. Zimbabwe is now at 152/7.
— Tҽαɱ Ɲιтуα™⁩ 🆇 (@taashi2016) July 13, 2024

Wait a minute what is happening here!