Sri Lanka v Afghanistan 2024

Watch: Shoulder-high full toss not called no-ball in final over of narrow Sri Lanka T20I defeat to Afghanistan

by Wisden Staff February 21, 2024 - 5:31pm 3 minute read

Sri Lanka were frustrated by the umpire’s decision not to signal no-ball in the final over of their narrow T20I defeat to Afghanistan, despite a full toss passing by batter Kamindu Mendis’ shoulder.

Mendis tried to review, but was not allowed to. A rule introduced in the Indian Premier League which allows decisions not involving wickets to be sent upstairs is yet to be introduced into international cricket.

The moment came at a pivotal point in the game, with Sri Lanka threatening to chase 210 in the final T20I of the series. Mendis had brought up his maiden T20I half-century two overs previously, and was on strike for the final over with 19 needed to win. A mis-field at fine leg brought four off the first ball, with Mendis surviving an lbw review off the second ball before scooping a boundary off the third.

With 11 needed off three, Wafadar Momand let slip a high full toss which passed Mendis’ shoulder. Though he had come down the track and was slightly crouching, it looked as if it had clearly passed above waist height, had Mendis been in his crease.

However, the square leg umpire was unmoved, much to Mendis’ chagrin. He attempted to review, but to no avail.

The equation became 11 off two, and while a wide lessened the equation somewhat, a dot ball confirmed victory despite a last-ball six.

Earlier, Afghanistan had put up 209-5, largely thanks to their two openers. Hazratullah Zazai and Rahmanullah Gurbaz hit 45 off 22 and 70 off 43 respectively. In reply, Pathum Nissanka hit 60 off 30 before retiring hurt, collapsing in pain as he hit a six. Mendis (65* off 39) was the other score above 25.

Despite defeat in the final game, Sri Lanka triumphed 2-1 in the series, having also won the one-off Test and prevailed in the ODI portion of the tour.