‘Shocking decision’ turns epic match on its head

On-field umpire Aleem Dar referred the decision to the third umpire, but gave a soft signal of “out”.

Third umpire Joel Wilson then could not find conclusive evidence either way from the replays, and so he opted to stick with Dar’s “out” signal and sent Shakeel on his way.

It was a pivotal moment and a hammer blow for Pakistan, who fell 27 runs shy of what would have been an incredible victory.

England’s 26-run win secured the series with a match to play.

The home side had been cruising to victory at 5-290 until Mohammad Nawaz and then Shakeel fell in the space of two overs.

Commentators and pundits on social media roundly slammed the decision to march Shakeel, given it looked like the ball hit the ground, thus deeming Pope had not caught it.

Pakistan legend Waqar Younis said in commentary, “Saud Shakeel was clearly not out”, while England great Michael Atherton agreed, saying “a bit of the ball was touching the grass”.

Earlier in the match, Joe Root became only the third Test cricketer to achieve 10,000 runs and 50 wickets in his career.

The former England captain joins South African great Jacques Kallis and Australia’s own Steve Waugh on the exclusive list.

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