Chaos reigned at the as a player made an appalling error before being berated by his team-mate.

The Chinese Taipei team of An-Sheng Lu and Pupo Teng-Lieh appeared to be coasting to victory in their must-win group match against India, having lost their opener against Czechia 4-2 on Thursday. Taipei were on a finish at 3-0 in the first-to-four contest.

Lu couldn’t take out 40, veering into double one and then missing attempts at double 19. However, India, needing 14, couldn’t get over the line in their next visit either, giving Teng-Lieh the chance to finish the job, only for him to make an embarrassing blunder.

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Needing 38, Teng-Lieh inexplicably hit single one, having presumably aimed for single 18 to set up double 10. His next dart was even more ludicrous, as he hit treble 19 to bust his score, leaving his younger team-mate furious.

“What a mess!” said former BDO champion Mark Webster on commentary. Lu promptly stormed up to Teng-Lieh and began remonstrating with him amid remarkable scenes. Teng-Lieh tried to explain his error, but Lu wasn’t having any of it, storming off in a rage.

Fellow commentator Stuart Pyke tried to explain: “I don’t think he realised he had 38 left. That’s the problem, he’s bust his score and he didn’t realise it was double 19 he needed. Total confusion, total chaos! And a few words spoken [between the two].”

Webber added: “I don’t know what he’s done. I presume he was going to split it. It’s one of those chaotic legs.”

After India finally took advantage to win the leg, Lu turned and looked at Teng-Lieh in disgust. There was time for another miscount from Teng-Lieh, who hit 37 when he needed 47, in what proved to be the final leg of the match.

While Taipei triumphed 4-2, Teng-Lieh’s earlier gaffe could still prove costly as they are sweating on the final match of the group between India and Czechia on Friday night. If India win, the group winners and place in the knockout stage will be decided on leg difference.

Fans were left in hysterics after the match, with one quipping on X: “Game of the tournament so far for all the wrong reasons [laughing face emoji].” Another joked: “I don’t care what anyone says, that’s far more exciting and entertaining than Luke Humphries & Luke Littler being really good!”

A third demanded: “Give them a bye to next round. This old man is legendary lol.” Another said: “He only has to look at the scoreboard before throwing!”

Overwhelming favourites Littler and Humphries of England, along with fellow top seeds Wales, and Northern Ireland, begin their campaign in the second round on Saturday.