England vs Pakistan 2020: Fawad Alam’s dismissal under controversy as Jos Buttler appears to break a law

England vs Pakistan 2020: Fawad Alam’s dismissal under controversy as Jos Buttler appears to break a law

Butler

Jos Butler scored a massive 152 runs against Pakistan in the first innings

The third and final Test between England and Pakistan has been fantastic for Jos Buttler. Buttler slammed 152 in England’s first innings total of 583/8 (declared). He took three catches behind the stumps as the hosts bowled out Pakistan for 273.

On Day 3, he took a sharp catch to dismiss Fawad Alam off Dom Bess. The dismissal prompted plenty of discussion about his performances and his subsequent improvement in that position.

The Sky Sports Cricket broadcast went to lengths to analyse Buttler’s improvement. Sky Sports compared the catch to a similar drop in the first Test. He put three chances down off Bess highlighting how he started lower in his stance and moved his left foot to allow himself to turn and take the ball.

However, it was one of the slo-mos that had Twitter users raising eyebrows and suggesting that the Pakistani batsman Fawad should have been reprieved. Buttler’s gloves seemingly passed the stumps during the course of the delivery.

Jos Butler takes the catch of Fawad Alam

Fawad Alam should have been awarded another chance

Jos Butler seems to have broken the law while dismissing Fawad Alam

According to law 27.3, “The wicket-keeper shall remain wholly behind the wicket at the striker’s end from the moment the ball comes into play until a ball delivered by the bowler touches the bat or person of the striker or passes the wicket at the striker’s end. In the event of the wicketkeeper contravening this Law, the striker’s end umpire shall call and signal no ball as soon as applicable after the delivery of the ball.”

The laws define the ball as coming into play when the bowler starts his run-up, at which point Buttler is standing up. But the angle shown isn’t exactly side on. Buttler’s gloves do appear to not be fully behind the stumps, in which case Fawad should have been awarded a life. An off-field umpire is already calling front-foot no-balls in this series. ]It’s time to add another task to their list of duties.

Also Read: Pakistan vs England 2020 | 3rd Test, Southampton | Live Score, Day 3 | Stumps