Afghanistan and Pakistan are currently fighting it out in the quarterfinal of the ongoing Under-19 World Cup in South Africa. After opting to bat first, Afghanistan were bundled out for just 189 runs and they are trying their best to defend the total. And in the process, a huge controversy has been sparked by the chinaman Noor Ahmad who mankaded the set batsman Muhammad Huraira.
The incident took place in the 28th over of the innings when Pakistan had lost two wickets in quick succession. The experienced Rohail Nazir and Fahad Munir were back in the hut and Muhammad Huraira who had opened the innings needed to stay in the middle till the end. However, he was caught surprised with Ahmad mankading him.
The on-field umpires urged the bowler to stay calm after appealed vociferously and discussed the matter before sending it upstairs. And the replays confirmed that Huraira was out of his crease even before the bowler delivered the ball. Going by the laws of the game, the dismissal is legitimate and the third umpire also upheld the appeal to adjudge the batsman run-out.
Having said that, the dismissal once again, like it had in the IPL when Ravi Ashwin mankaded Jos Buttler, will spark a debate on the spirit of the game.
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