Temba Bavuma only realised his brain fade dismissal after South Africa’s win in a nervy chase. (JioCinema Screengrabs)
South Africa sure had some jittery moments en route a thrilling two-wicket win against Pakistan on Sunday to seal their World Test Championship final berth in Centurion and captain Temba Bavuma’s unusual dismissal did not help the nerves in the dressing-room before a humdinger finish.
Chasing 148, a well-set Bavuma was the fifth man to fall before Mohammad Abbas’ relentless spell left South Africa on the edge. Though Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen’s eight-wicket bravado powered a famous Proteas win, Bavuma’s bizarre dismissal raised eyebrows.
Abbas appeared to initially dismiss Bavuma with a delivery angling in as it passed the inside-edge of Bavuma’s bat to wicket-keeper Mohammad Rizwan. Batting on 40, Bavuma decided against a DRS review as he trudged back to the pavillion.
Bavuma walks inspite of clear gap between bat and pad!
— Fantasy Cricket Pro 🏏 (Viren Hemrajani) (@FantasycricPro) December 29, 2024
Replays soon emerged to show that there was no contact between bat and ball as it brushed the South African skipper’s right pocket instead. Bavuma’s dismissal nearly cost his side as Pakistan reduced South Africa to 99 for eight within the next two overs. Rabada and Jansen forged a gritty unbeaten stand of 51 runs to lead South Africa to their maiden final.
Brain fade and a toilet-break
Interestingly, Bavuma was only made aware of his ‘brainfade’ dismissal when he was quizzed by former cricketer and broadcaster, Mpumelelo Mbangwa, in the post-match chat. “Did I not nick it?” a perplexed Bavuma asked. “Not too sure, not sure,” he added.
The nervy moments after his dismissal meant that Bavuma missed a chunk of Rabada and Jansen’s eighth-wicket partnership on either side of lunch. “Glad that we were able to get the result. Not much of a conversation (at lunch), I was still sulking in the toilet. I came out when we needed about 15 runs, did not come out fully into the viewing area. It was a tough one (emotionally),” said Bavuma.
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