Out or Not Out? Azhar Ali 'catch' leads to controversy, fine for Mickey Arthur in SA vs PAK Test match- Watch

A controversial umpiring decision remained at the center of discussion as South Africa beat Pakistan to win the first Test at SuperSport Park on Friday. 

The International Cricket Council has handed Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur one demerit point and a warning after he accepted a charge of showing dissent following their six wicket loss to South Africa in the first test at Centurion Park. Arthur stormed into third umpire Joel Wilson's room and questioned a decision to deny Azhar Ali a clean catch at first slip off South African opener Dean Elgar that had been given out on the field, but was overturned by Wilson on review.

The incident occurred when South Afrcia were 16 for one in pursuit of a modest target of 149 on a difficult wicket. Dean Elgar, on four, edged new bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi low to first slip where Azhar Ali appeared to take a diving catch.

On-field umpires Bruce Oxenford and Sundaram Ravi conferred before referring to television umpire Joel Wilson with a 'soft' signal of out, indicating they thought it was a clean catch.

After looking at several replays including super-slow close-ups, Wilson ruled the ball had bounced and Elgar was reprieved.

The decision clearly astonished the Pakistan players and coach Mickey Arthur was seen leaving his place on the players' balcony and going to the adjacent office of match referee David Boon.

Both Amla and Elgar scored half-centuries. South Africa went on to win the Test but not before losing four wickets on a pitch described by Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed as a ‘bowler’s paradise’.

Sarfraz felt the catch was clear. “For me, he [Azhar Ali] took a clear catch,” he said. He also compared the whole incident with a similar situation when Indian captain Virat Kohli was given out in the recent second Test against Australia in Perth.

There television umpire Nigel Llong had found no conclusive evidence to overturn a 'soft' signal from the on-field umpires.

Sarfraz Ahmed says he and the team were convinced that Azhar Ali held onto the catch from Dean Elgar. pic.twitter.com/bqphhlt2j0

— Philasande Sixaba (@psixaba) December 28, 2018

Television commentator Michael Holding criticised his fellow West Indian Wilson.

"I'm convinced he was out," said Holding. "I think the third umpire made a mistake. The protocol says you have got to be 100 percent sure the decision was wrong to change it."