Pakistan's qualification into the semi-final stage has proved one thing- it takes more than a performance to advance in the World Cup. While Pakistan redeemed itself by winning its last three games of the Super-12 stage, the side needed Netherlands to beat South Africa and as the famous saying goes; luck favors the brave.
Meanwhile, Indian cricket fans, who are bestowing lot of trust on its team to lift the title, were on the moon on Monday as the International Cricket Council announced the list of match referees for both the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup 2022.
According to the announcement, on-field umpires for the New Zealand versus Pakistan contest will be Marais Erasmus and Richard Illingworth. Whereas, Richard Kettleborough and Michael Gough have been named as third and fourth umpire, respectively.
Speaking of India versus England clash on November 10 (Thursday), Kumar Dharamsena and Paul Reiffel will take the on-field responsibilities, while Chris Gaffaney and Rod Tucker, will be third and fourth umpires for the high-octane match.
Ever since the announcement was made, Indian cricket fans seem elated with the fact that Richard Kettleborough will not be present on the field for the semi-final match on Thursday.
The reason behind the happiness of Indian cricket fans is that Kettleborough was the on-field umpire in almost all of India's knockout matches in ICC tournaments that they ended up losing since 2014. Interestingly, the only match India lost against South Africa in the Super-12 stage, Richard Kettleborough was one of the on-field umpires of the match.
Although, the reason could be mere co-incidence but indeed it was enough to invoke several memes on social media.
Check out some funny reactions:
