Watch: Iftikhar Ahmed’s heroic knock was cut short in controversial circumstances when his partner Haris Rauf was deemed run out after giving Pakistan hope of an improbable win in the fifth ODI against New Zealand.

Iftikhar finished on 94*, having orchestrated a fightback for the ages and keeping Pakistan alive in their chase of 300. At one point, the team was 193-6, and then 216-8, but Iftikhar kept them in the hunt. His partnership with last man Haris Rauf had reached 22, and Pakistan were 48 runs away from an incredible heist when a run out ended it all.

Off the first ball of the 47th over, Iftikhar Ahmed drove Matt Henry through covers, looking to get a couple and stay on strike. They pushed hard, but Rauf’s return to the non-striker’s end put him in the danger zone. The throw from Cole McConchie in the deep was accurate, and Henry helped it onto the stumps with his palm. Pakistan’s hopes had vapourised, but a TV replay had to confirm whether the run out was clean.

That’s when the debate started. Footage showed Henry’s palm was close to the stumps when the bails lit up, and it wasn’t quite clear if it was the falling ball that had disturbed the wicket or Henry’s hand. Further inspection showed that Henry’s palm might actually have disturbed the bail first before the ball grazed on one side of the wicket.

The third umpire did not think so though, and adjudged Rauf run out, leaving Iftikhar stranded six short of a maiden ODI century. Pakistan still won the series 4-1.

Watch the run out here:

The final moment of the match – out or not out❓#PAKvNZ | #CricketMubarak pic.twitter.com/GOM7deet6u

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) May 7, 2023