Former Pakistan off-spinner Saeed Ajmal recalls the 2011 controversial incident revolving around Sachin Tendulkar. He remains convinced of Sachin Tendulkar’s LBW during the 2011 World Cup semifinal between India and Pakistan. Tendulkar was ruled out LBW by Ian Gould but had to overturn the decision after Sachin suddenly used the referral.

In the match, Sachin Tendulkar was batting at 23 when the incident happened.  After being ruled out, Sachin’s decision to review showed the ball missing leg stump. Tendulkar scored 85 and helped India defeat Pakistan in the semi-finals. Saeed Ajmal still recalls controversial call says it is still fresh in his memory.

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Ajmal said, “It was straight in front and I was 100 percent sure he was out. Shahid Afridi, Kamran, Wahab, and other players asked me, was he out and I told them he is gone. I never got a chance to bowl to him in a Test so whenever I played against him in white-ball cricket I always wanted to do my best.”

“More disappointing was that we lost the semifinal and it is obvious that Tendulkar’s 85 runs made all the difference. Even today, the third umpire’s decision baffles me. Maybe luck was with him that day and he went on a play such crucial innings for his team,” explained Ajmal.

Umpire Ian Gould who was officiating the game ruled Tendulkar out. After consulting Gautam Gambhir, Sachin started walking back towards the dressing room. Ajmal recalls how his world stopped when Tendulkar suddenly made the ‘T’ signal.

Cricket Pakistan quoted Saeed Ajmal saying, “When I gave him out at Mohali, I’m thinking this is out. I will sit here and guarantee you, if I see it again, I’d still give it out, simple as that. He talked to Gambhir and looked like he was going to walk out. I’m thinking thank God for that, then he spun on his heels and made that T sign, and the world stopped.”

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Saeed Ajmal ended with, “Eventually, Billy Bowden told me ‘It’s a missing leg, I need you to change your decision.’ Well, no disrespect to him, but I was watching on a 90-foot screen showing me it was missing leg by an inch so I didn’t really need his analysis. I’ve got a picture here where I’m looking slightly disgruntled or annoyed as I gave them not out.”