DLS drama: Confusion reigns as Bangladesh begin chase uncertain about the target

The revised target was communicated after Bangladesh began their reply to New Zealand’s 173/5 in 17.5 overs

The match officials had to stop play for five minutes soon after Bangladesh began their chase in the second T20I in Napier on Tuesday, as there was no clarity on Bangladesh’s target till that point. New Zealand had been forced off the field by rain after batting 17.5 overs, in which they had scored 173 for 5. It seemed that Bangladesh batted the first nine balls of their innings with the knowledge that their target in 16 overs was 148. Except, they were chasing 170. Which, later, correctly, was changed to 171.

Play is set to start at 9-40pm NZT with Bangladesh to have 16 overs. 148 their target. Follow play LIVE with @sparknzsport in NZ #NZvBAN pic.twitter.com/IRkcJ6xjlW

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) March 30, 2021

Bangladesh coach Russell Domingo and manager Sabbir Khan were spotted in the match referee’s room at the start of the second over. Jeff Crowe, the match referee, and fourth umpire Shaun Haig were involved in a discussion. Following the conversations, the target was revised to 170.

Right and now we can play. 170 confirmed as what Bangladesh will need to win from 16 overs. Play returns at McLean Park. #NZvBAN pic.twitter.com/dIz2XWpNR7

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) March 30, 2021

The game resumed, but even 170 wasn’t the right figure. Based on the DLS version 4.0 released last October, the target should actually have been 171, with 170 the par score for Bangladesh.

It took 13 overs of the Bangladesh chase, by which stage they had ridden Soumya Sarkar’s 27-ball 51 to get to 94 for 1 in ten overs before losing a bunch of wickets in a rush, for the correct target to be flashed on the broadcast screens.

Earlier, New Zealand Cricket’s official Twitter handle had tweeted the target was 148 in 16 overs. The ICC’s website also had the same target on its scorecard. The reason for the confusion, possibly, was that the target had been calculated based on the New Zealand innings lasting all 20 overs. It is not yet certain if the Bangladesh team, too, was given this target, but the confusion and animated discussions suggested that.

More to follow…