CENTURION: Former cricketer and commentator Ramiz Raja sparked controversy during the second T20 match between South Africa and Pakistan on Friday after making a baffling comment about pacer Shaheen Afridi.
The incident occurred on the 17th over of the second innings when Afridi was bowling to South African Rassie van der Dussen.
Van der Dussen hit a powerful shot at Afridi, who tried to escape the ball but was hit between the shoulder and chin.
Fortunately, the 24-year-old managed to avoid serious injury, receiving treatment from the team’s physio before continuing to bat.
However, it was Ramiz Raja’s comment that raised eyebrows among viewers.
When the ball narrowly missed Afridi’s face, Raja commented: “It only missed his face, I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or not”, a statement that quickly became the subject of widespread criticism.
Many viewers were perplexed by the comment, questioning why Raja expressed uncertainty about the potential positive outcome of the ball missing Afridi’s face.
“What kind of statement is that?” said the fans.
“Ramiz, you don’t know if it was good that he missed his face? What are you talking about, man!! Shaheen Afridi was very lucky there,” said another fan.
Opting to bat first, Pakistan posted a competitive 206/5 in their 20 overs thanks to an unbeaten knock from Saim Ayub.
The left-hander dazzled with an unbeaten 57-ball 98, laced with 11 boundaries and five sixes.
He formed a crucial 73-run partnership with Muhammad Irfan Khan, who contributed 16-ball 30s.
Irfan’s dismissal in the final saw Abbas Afridi add a quickfire 11 in four balls before the end of Pakistan’s innings, leaving Saim two runs short of a well-deserved century.
In response, South Africa chased down the target in 19.3 overs, powered by Reeza Hendricks’ magnificent 117 off 63 balls, which included seven boundaries and 10 sixes.
Reeza was ably supported by Rassie van der Dussen in a 157-run stand for the third wicket.
Van der Dussen remained unbeaten on 59 off 39 balls and sealed victory with a six from Abbas Afridi in the final over.
South Africa now lead the three-match T20I series 2-0, with the final game scheduled for today in Johannesburg.
