Pakistan batter Imam-ul-Haq’s catch to dismiss Kusal Mendis in the ongoing 8th game of the ICC World Cup 2023 has sparked a massive controversy. The left-hander has been accused of pushing the boundary rope back at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. 

Kusal Mendis played a magnificent innings against Pakistan in the ongoing game. With the way he was batting, Pakistan had no answers to the onslaught by him. The batter blasted a magnificent century and was all set for a big knock. 

Kusal Mendis took Hasan Ali to the cleaners and after hitting for him with sixes, he attempted another big shot. It seemed that the ball would go for a six but he was caught near the boundary ropes by Imam-ul-Haq. As he was dismissed, a controversy erupted on social media. 

Imam-ul-Haq has been accused of tampering with boundary ropes. The images have surfaced on social media, in which the boundary rope has been pushed back from the original white line marked for it. Had the ropes been there, it would’ve been six. 

Here’s the clip: 

Pakistan players notably were accused of pushing the boundary rope back during the last game against the Netherlands as well. Many fans also lashed out at Imam-ul-Haq for his antics in the game. 

Kusal Mendis ended with the knock of 122 runs off 77 balls. The keeper-batter timed the ball to perfection and batted magnificently. His staggering knock saw Sri Lanka posting a big total of 344 runs. 

Fans on Twitter didn’t go easy on Imam-ul-Haq for their antics. They gave some harsh reactions. Here are some of them: 

Imam Ul Haq is cheating?
The boundary rope is back from its original place. Had it been at the original place it was a sixer.
What is this @ICC? pic.twitter.com/GMXTE28L9c

— Abhishek Ojha (@vicharabhio) October 10, 2023

imam ul haq was taking the catch outside the marked boundary. the pathetic tactic to move cushions behind and then taking that catch. you can see the marked line of boundary it was a 6. cheater pak #imam #ICCWorldCup #PAKvSL #IndiavsPak #IndiaWithIsrael. #AskThePavilion is it 6? pic.twitter.com/5xN7J8snit

— Maulana Hayden 🇮🇳 (@padafaf20435) October 10, 2023

“🏏 Unbelievable dismissal in today’s #SLvPAK #CWC23 match! Mendis departs thanks to an incredible catch by Imam-ul-Haq, but there’s some controversy as the boundary line was moved further back. 🤨 What’s going on here? 🧐 #CricketControversy #PAKvSL pic.twitter.com/74YO2MZTzN

— Akshat Aggarwal (@akshat_agg29564) October 10, 2023

Is that catch of kusal mendis legal? Imam ul haq touched the boundary line. But the boundary cushions are little bit away from the line

— Gerard (@GrimRea82850778) October 10, 2023

Imam ul Haq, what is he doing? Is he playing cricket in Pakistan? Instead of pushing his strike rate he is pushing the boundary, what a clown these Pakistani players are. Total cheaters! @ICC should take action against them!#PAKvSL pic.twitter.com/KizoiJupQu

— BLEED🐐 (@bleedcricketism) October 10, 2023

PAK vs SL: Imam-ul-Haq bags failure with the bat in the game against Sri Lanka 

Imam-ul-Haq didn’t have a great outing against Sri Lanka as he perished for 12 runs off 12 balls. He also bagged failure in the first game as he couldn’t get going. Ahead of the tournament, he looked in good touch but unfortunately hasn’t been able to make a mark in the tournament so far.