'They Cut 2 Frames So That Ball Misses The Stump': Ajmal Makes Explosive Claim On Tendulkar's Overturned LBW In 2011 WC

On-field umpire Ian Gould believed that the ball would have gone on to hit the stumps. The entire Pakistan time including Saeed Ajmal seemed convinced too.

Umpire Ian Gould (L) signals a decision reversal after giving Sachin Tendulkar of India out LBW off the bowling of Saeed Ajmal during the 2011 ICC World Cup second Semi-Final between Pakistan and India at Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) Stadium on March 30, 2011 in Mohali, India.

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While former Pakistan spinner Saeed Ajmal has spoken about the overturned LBW off his bowling of India's cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar during the 2011 World Cup semifinal between India and Pakistan, the time around the ex-Pakistan offie has made an even explsove claim. In a recent podcast, Ajmal claimed that when the DRS was opted by Team India, a few frames were conveniently skipped to ensure that Tendulkar survives.

“We played the 2011 World Cup, you must remember the incident with Sachin Tendulkar. The LBW decision that was overturned. The controversy about it is still going on. It was out. Both, umpire and I knew it was out. They had cut two frames to make it look like ball missed the stumps. Otherwise, it would've hit the stumps in the middle,” Ajmal said on the Nadir Ali Podcast.

There has been a lot of talk about Tendulkar's overturned decision. While the on-field umpire Ian Goult reckoned that it was out, even years after that decision, Goult remainded firm on his stance and reckoned that ball would have gone on to hit the stumps.

"Don't go down that road. I get teased about that. People send me pictures of my reaction after I was told in my ear by Billy Bowden that it was missing leg stump. It makes me laugh. It didn't make me laugh at the time, I can assure you. But I'd give it out again with my back to the wall. It was dead. I don't know what happened," Gould told ESPNCricinfo years after the incident.

As it turned out, Tendulkar's knock turned out to be the difference between the two teams with the the Master Blaster top-scoring for the Men in Blue with 85. Riding on Tendulkar's 85, India made 260/9 before bowling out Pakistan for 231. India later beat Sri Lanka in the final to emerge as the World Champions.