In a bizarre development of events during ILT20 2025 match between Gulf giants and Desert snakesNamibia Gerhard Erasmus he found himself sent back to the dugout without facing a single ball. This unusual incident happened on Tuesday (January 14), and has since been called a “schoolboy mistake” by fans and commentators.
Bizarre incident
The confusion arose in the 16th over of the first innings when Mohammad Amir rejected Saghir Khanwhich prompted the Gulf Giants to send Erasmus as a Super Sub. However, just moments later, the umpires informed the team that Erasmus would not be allowed to bat.
Andy Flowerthe Giants’ head coach, expressed his displeasure with the decision and was seen in a heated argument with the fourth official near the boundary line. Leslie Reifer, the match’s third official, later clarified that Flower had not followed proper procedure, as he had not informed the fourth official of the team’s intention to use Erasmus as a Super Sub.
Here is the video:
Have we ever seen this before? 👀
Super-substitute Gerhard Erasmus was sent back without facing the ball after the referees found that the legal process had not been followed! 🚨#ILT20onFanCode pic.twitter.com/eQBCgFKks9
— FanCode (@FanCode) January 14, 2025
ALSO SEE: Wanindu Hasaranga baffles Ollie Robinson with a misfire during Gulf Giants vs Desert Vipers in IPL 2025.
Explaining the entire scenario to viewers, Reifer said: “Erasmus has not been named in the playing XI and the playing conditions clearly state that only the head coach can inform the fourth umpire immediately after the fall of a wicket or the retirement of a batsman.
“As we saw there, our fourth referee was not informed about Super Sub. Therefore, Gerhard Erasmus had no real right and true to go to the middle because the process was not properly followed.”
Desert Vipers won by 6 wickets
The Desert Vipers recorded their second straight win of the season, defeating the Gulf Giants by six wickets. A solid unbeaten 42 from the all-rounder Sam Currantogether with Sherfane Rutherford’An explosive 40 off just 18 balls led the Vipers to a comfortable chase, reaching a target of 120 in 17.4 overs.
Earlier, the Giants struggled against the Vipers’ disciplined pitching after asking them to bat first. Skipper Lockie Ferguson led the charge with an impressive three wickets, while Amir contributed with two wickets, restricting the Giants to a modest 119/9 in their allotted 20 overs. James Vince stood out as the lone performer for the Giants, playing an unbeaten knock of 76 off 62 deliveries. However, poor support from the rest of the batting line-up left the team without a competitive total.
ALSO SEE: Pakistan’s Fakhar Zaman undone by Mark Adair’s sublime performance in ILT20 2025
