There was a moment of confusion during the 2022 T20 World Cup semifinal between New Zealand and Pakistan after Mohammad Rizwan was caught off what appeared to be a no-ball and then run out on the same delivery.

Rizwan was caught at deep extra cover off a high full toss sent down by Trent Boult in the last ball of the 17th over. However, with the ball seemingly appearing to be above the waist, the Pakistan batters kept running as they would have in a what-if-it-were-a-no-ball scenario.

The alert New Zealand fielders ran out Rizwan at the non-striker’s end. If he were not out caught, he would at least be dismissed run out. Until then, the on-field umpires at the point had not signalled a no-ball, referring the decision to the TV umpire. The ball was later deemed legal, and below waist-high, leading to Rizwan’s dismissal.

However, it would have gotten tricky if it was a no-ball, with the run out coming into the picture. After the match, the MCC clarified that Rizwan would have survived in such a case. New Zealand could not have run out the batter even if a no-ball was called as the ball was not in play.

“New Zealand, having taken the catch, feared that the third umpire might call No ball, so tried to enact a Run out. However, this would NOT have been out – the ball was Dead at the point the catch was completed, and even if a later call of No ball means the striker is Not out, that cannot return the ball into play,” they tweeted.

However, this would NOT have been out – the ball was Dead at the point the catch was completed, and even if a later call of No ball means the striker is Not out, that cannot return the ball into play.

Law 20.6 specifically addresses this matter. (2/5)

— Marylebone Cricket Club (@MCCOfficial) November 9, 2022

If the on-field umpires had called No ball at the time, then the ball would not have been Dead and a Run out would have been possible.

However, this cannot apply to third umpire decisions.

In the event, it was not a No ball, and so Rizwan was anyway out Caught. (4/5)

— Marylebone Cricket Club (@MCCOfficial) November 9, 2022

Law 20.6 states that, “Once the ball is dead, no revoking of any decision can bring the ball back into play for that delivery.”

Since the umpires did not signal the no-ball straightaway, the ball was dead when Glenn Phillips held on to the catch in the deep, and the run out would have been void.

However, things would have been different had the on-field umpires themselves signalled the no-ball and not referred it to the third umpire. In case of a no-ball, the batter can only be dismissed run out, and the ball would not have been dead after the catch had been taken by the fielder.

Thus, for Rizwan to be out, the on-field umpires would have had to signal the no-ball immediately. With that not happening, there was no chance of him being out if the TV umpires confirmed a no ball.

Rizwan departed for a 43-ball 57 as Pakistan entered the final of the edition after a convincing win.

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