Cricket fans left seething over 'horrendous' T20 World Cup farce

Cricket fans have hit out at the standard of umpiring at the T20 World Cup after a questionable call went against Bangladesh in their crucial final group game against Pakistan.

Following the Netherlands' shock win over South Africa earlier on Sunday, both Pakistan and Bangladesh knew a win could book their spot in the semi-finals of the tournament.

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In the end it was Pakistan that snuck into the last four after Paceman Shaheed Afridi claimed four victims to seal a five-wicket win with 11 balls to spare.

However, Bangladesh had every right to feel aggrieved after finding themselves on the wrong end of a highly contentious incident during their innings.

After winning the toss and choosing to bat first, Bangladesh were looking solid as they cruised past 70 runs for the loss of just one wicket, before Pakistan dealt them a double blow with the wickets of Soumya Sarkar and Shakib Al Hasan in consecutive deliveries.

Shakib was left seething over his golden duck though after the batter was given out LBW in highly controversial circumstances, with the umpire and DRS agreeing he was struck on the foot in front of crease.

Replays showed the ball was close to Shakib's bat, with ultra edge showing a big spike before it went on to hit the batsman's foot.

Despite certain angles appearing to show a clear gap between the ground and the bottom of Shakib's bat, the third umpire ruled that the ultra edge spike came from the batter hitting the ground and not from an edge on the ball.

Shakib couldn't believe it after being given his marching orders and stood out in the middle in disbelief for several moments after his wicket was confirmed.

“He should feel well aggrieved after this one,” Isa Guha said on Fox Cricket as fans took to social media to express their disgust at the decision.

Bangladesh never really recovered after the controversy as Pakistani quick Afridi put the underdogs to the sword.

Afridi took 4-22 as Bangladesh limped to a modest 8-127, with Pakistan cruising to 5-128 at Adelaide Oval with 11 balls to spare.

Pakistan's win sees them set up a semi-final date against New Zealand at the SCG on Wednesday night, with India and England facing off in the other semi on Thursday night in Adelaide.

Pakistan capitalise on South Africa shocker

Earlier on Sunday, South Africa blew their chance of advancing with a shock 13-run loss to the Netherlands.

Victory would have booked the Proteas a semi-final berth but instead their loss gifted the winner of Pakistan's clash against Bangladesh a place in the last four.

"We watched the game and for us it was a very good result," Afridi said.

"It's not in our hands, that result ... just focused on our game, but it was good the Netherlands won that game."

Afridi cashed in for Pakistan with hostile fast bowling as only opener Najmul Shanto (54 from 48 balls) weathered the storm, as the sole Bangladeshi to pass 24 runs.

Shanto struck seven fours but the Bangladesh innings wobbled from the 11th over after the quick fire wickets of Sarkar (20) and Shakib.

Those wickets triggered a slide of 6-36 in eight overs as Bangladesh lost all momentum.

Pakistan made light work of their chase after Mohammad Rizwan was dropped on the third ball of the innings, with wicketkeeper Nurul Hasan turfing a regulation edge from Taskin Ahmed's bowling.

Rizwan hit the next ball for six with a top-edged hook en route to scoring 32 from as many deliveries.

Rizwan and his captain Babar Azam (25 from 33 balls) notched a composed half-century opening partnership in the 10th over.

The pair were soon after dismissed in a five-ball span, leaving Mohammad Haris (31 from 18) and Shan Masood (24no from 14) to guide Pakistan to victory.

with AAP

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