T20 WC 2021: Wasim Jaffer trolls umpire Kumar Dharmasena ahead of ENG-NZ semi-final clash

The witty Wasim Jaffer is back at his best, as he trolled umpire Kumar Dharmasena ahead of England-New Zealand semi-final clash at the T20 World Cup 2021. Dharmasena was one of the match officials when these two teams met in the fateful 2019 ODI World Cup final at Lord’s, which New Zealand lost rather dramatically.

“Hey Kumar, what time does the match start tonight?” Jaffer tweeted along with Dharmasena’s picture from the World Cup final when he awarded England’s Ben Stokes four overthrows after the ball, deflected off his bat, went to the ropes, denying New Zealand a world title.

The call led England to a victory by the virtue of the contentious tie-breaking boundary count rule, as both game and the Super Over ended in a tie. Given that backdrop, the upcoming semi-final clash between the two sides has already assumed a great degree of interest, with plenty backing New Zealand to avenge their heartbreaking loss from 2019.

Meanwhile, both England and New Zealand have won four fixtures out of the total five before qualifying for the semi-finals. While Eoin Morgan’s England lost their last league game to South Africa after defeating Australia, West Indies, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, Kane Williamson’s New Zealand recorded four wins on the trot, defeating India, Afghanistan, Scotland and Namibia after losing their tournament opener to Pakistan.

The second semi-final between Australia and Pakistan will be held on November 11 in Dubai.

Hey Kumar, what time does the match start tonight? 🤭 #ENGvNZ #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/wH7N4v1LFx

— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) November 10, 2021

Match officials for the T20 World Cup semi-finals confirmed

The International Cricket Council, on November 9, confirmed the match officials for the semi-finals. “The first of the semi-finals, between England and New Zealand, will be overseen by on-field umpires Marais Erasmus and Kumar Dharmasena, with Nitin Menon serving as third umpire, Paul Reiffel as fourth and David Boon as match referee.”

“The second semi-final, between Pakistan and Australia in Dubai on Thursday, will be umpired by on-field officials Richard Kettleborough and Chris Gaffaney, third umpire Joel Wilson, fourth umpire Richard Illingworth and match referee Jeff Crowe,” the official release read.

“Appointments for the final on 14 November will be confirmed following both semi-finals”.