Rex Clementine
in Durban

It was the unlikeliest of scripts: the host nation, South Africa, bowing out of the 2003 Cricket World Cup in their backyard, undone by a bizarre twist of fate – and a misread Duckworth-Lewis sheet. To borrow a line from Shakespeare, the fault lay not in the stars but in themselves.

South Africa’s hopes were sky-high as they hosted cricket’s crown jewel, much like the unifying fervor of the 1995 Rugby World Cup, where Nelson Mandela’s charm and Francois Pienaar’s leadership wove a fractured nation into a tapestry of pride. But on a rainy night in Durban, those dreams were washed away—quite literally—by Sri Lanka, in what remains one of the most talked-about matches in cricketing folklore.

Sri Lanka didn’t even win the game, but they didn’t need to. The Proteas, staring at a rain-curtailed chase, fell victim to faulty math – or more precisely, an incorrect interpretation of the Duckworth-Lewis method. With just one run needed to clinch the game, Mark Boucher blocked a ball, thinking the job was done. It wasn’t.

Jehan Mubarak, now Sri Lanka’s Data Analyst, was then a young 12th man with a critical role: carrying the Duckworth-Lewis sheet to the middle. A son of scientist Dr. Aziz Mubarak, Jehan was born in Washington DC and educated at Royal College. He was well-equipped for the task. Reflecting on the drama, he shared:

“I had to deliver the Duckworth-Lewis sheet to the team. Nicky Boje, South Africa’s 12th man, was doing the same for his side. The sheet clearly states that the scores listed are for a tie, not a win. You always need one more run to win. We read it correctly; they didn’t—and it cost them dearly.”

Mubarak’s delivery may not have been on the scorecard, but it was game-changing. As the rain began to pour, South Africa believed they were safe. They weren’t. The match ended in a tie, knocking the Proteas out and allowing Sri Lanka to advance.

During the game, Mubarak also made a brief appearance as a substitute fielder for Marvan Atapattu. But things didn’t go entirely smoothly:

Jehan Mubarak played an important role in knocking South Africa out of the 2003 World Cup. He didn’t play the game, but as 12th man, he carried the Duckworth Lewis sheet and had to convey the important message.

“Sanath (Jayasuriya) was yelling for me to take a catch, so I sprinted toward the ball. It was a tough chance, and I couldn’t hold on. The ball went for four, and I got an earful from the captain. In a game like that, every chance counts. Thankfully, it didn’t affect the result.”

At 22, Mubarak was the youngest player in the squad, playing just one match in the tournament—a forgettable outing against India where he fell for a second-ball duck to Javagal Srinath, the current Match Referee. But for Mubarak, the World Cup was a crash course in high-stakes cricket:

“It was a fantastic learning experience. Against South Africa, Marvan made a stunning hundred, and Aravinda de Silva chipped in with a brilliant 70. We were struggling at 90 for three, but their 150-run partnership turned things around. Watching those legends adjust to different conditions and handle pressure was invaluable for a young player.”

Mubarak recalls the advice he received from stalwarts like Sanath, Marvan, Hashan Tillakaratne, and Aravinda.

“They’d always say, ‘Play positive cricket. Don’t be afraid. Whatever the opposition does – sledging or pressure tactics – hold your ground and never take a backward step.’ Those words stayed with me.”

After hanging up his boots, Mubarak transitioned into coaching, even leading Sri Lanka’s Under-19 team to a series win in England. Later, Sanath Jayasuriya brought him into the senior team setup, recognizing his analytical mind. Today, Mubarak serves as the team’s Data Analyst, a role that suits his methodical nature:

“My job is to analyze data and share it with the coaches and players. We study not just our team but the opposition as well. At SLC’s Brain Center, we look at everything—batting patterns, bowling trends, field placements—and pass on actionable insights.”