Australia opener David Warner played an eventful knock during his team’s thrilling win over Pakistan in the second semi-final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Dubai on Thursday.
Warner’s innings was, however, laced with a couple of controversial moments. The first, when he hit a six off a double-bounce delivery from Mohammad Hafeez, and the second when he was dismissed caught behind from a Shadab Khan delivery despite replays showing no contact between bat and ball. Both moments have been creating a lot of buzz on social media since that evening.
Former India opener Gautam Gambhir slammed Warner for coming down the pitch to smash Hafeez’s miscued double-bounce delivery into the stand.
https://twitter.com/ShaunakCric/status/1458836604512968721
“What an absolutely pathetic display of spirit of the game by Warner! #Shameful,” tweeted Gambhir.
What an absolutely pathetic display of spirit of the game by Warner! #Shameful What say @ashwinravi99? pic.twitter.com/wVrssqOENW
— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) November 11, 2021
However, now the Aussie leg-spinner Adam Zampa has come out in defence of his teammate. On the ABC Grandstand podcast, Zampa said that though Gambhir’s take was interesting, what Warner did cannot be termed as wrong.
“It’s an interesting take from Gautam Gambhir. It’s a pretty big effort from David Warner and I think he had every right to,” opined Zampa.
Warner was later given out on 49, and despite Australia having two referrals left, the swashbuckling batter walked back to the dugout, seemingly convinced that he had nicked the ball.
Why didn't David Warner REVIEW this? 😎#T20WorldCup #PAKvAUS pic.twitter.com/uFKespelMu
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) November 11, 2021
Warner’s dismissal notwithstanding, Australia went on to win the contest by five wickets and six balls to spare, thanks to Matthew Wade’s 41 not out off 17 and Marcus Stoinis’ unbeaten 40 off 31 balls.
Australia will take on New Zealand in the summit clash of the marquee event on Sunday, November 14.
