Watch: Imam-ul-Haq and Iftikhar Ahmed retracted a run during the first ODI against Afghanistan: they assumed that they had run a single after the opposition fielders assumed the ball was dead.

The incident occurred on August 22 (Tuesday) during the 21st over of Pakistan’s innings. Iftikhar was on strike for the second ball of Rashid Khan’s over, with Imam at the other end. Rashid bowled a flat delivery on off stump. Iftikhar played it back to Rashid, who picked up the ball and threw it towards Hashmatullah Shahidi at mid wicket, all in one motion.

Rashid had seemingly assumed that the ball was dead after Iftikhar played it back to him, which might have prompted him to throw the ball at Shahidi. However, the batters thought the play was still in play and took an easy single. Upon realising Rashid’s assumption, Iftikhar and Imam retracted their run. Imam even held his hands up and apologising to the fielders.

“There’s an apology that’s being given and they’re not going to take the run. Well, that’s nice to see,” confirmed the commentator.

However, Pakistan had the option of not taking back their single. The Laws state that the ball is live until the “fielding side and both batters at the wicket” think otherwise.

Rashid had seemingly assumed that the ball had been dead after Iftikhar played it back to him. Iftikhar and Imam clearly thought otherwise, as they jogged for a single after Rashid threw it away to Shahidi. The run was valid, but Imam and Iftikhar’s magnanimous gesture ensured the run they had taken was deducted from their tally.

Pakistan ended up winning the game by 142 runs after they bowled out Afghanistan for a record 59.

Watch the incident here:

Pakistan 🇵🇰 : Imam decided to cancel the run as it was against the spirit of game
Afghanistan 🇦🇫: Farooqi mankaded Shadab Khan in the last over so that they could win the gamepic.twitter.com/X1ZrpUmhNT

— Shaheen Fan Club ® (@ShaheenFC_) August 25, 2023