Watch: Axar Patel was run out in contentious circumstances in the India-Pakistan T20 World Cup clash at the MCG despite a Mohammad Rizwan fumble.
With India three down early on after a burst from Pakistan’s quicks, Axar was promoted in an attempt to inject some stability into the innings.
Instead, he was the victim of another piece of cricketing chaos, sent back by Virat Kohli after attempting a single. Pakistan captain Babar Azam swooped on the ball and threw the ball in, with Axar seemingly caught well short.
However, Rizwan’s frustrated reaction suggested that he felt there had been an error, and replays showed that the wicketkeeper had fumbled the ball into the stumps.
Richard Kettleborough, the TV umpire, was faced with the task of discerning whether the ball or Rizwan’s gloves were responsible for disturbing the stumps. He ruled that the ball had made contact first, and sent Axar on his way.
“Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan both thought they’d got it wrong,” said Ian Smith on commentary. “They can’t believe their luck, they simply cannot believe their luck.”
Some questioned the decision.
Not convinced by that run-out decision…
— Scott Redler (@RedDog7T3) October 23, 2022
Axar’s decision a poor call from the third umpire.
— Shashank Kishore (@captainshanky) October 23, 2022
However, others praised Kettleborough’s bravery under pressure.
Class from Richard Kettleborough throughout that process. Can easily see how a TV ump could botch that under this pressure. #T20WorldCup
— Adam Collins (@collinsadam) October 23, 2022
MCC Laws of Cricket advisor Jonny Singer also stated he was “not sure” if the adjudication was correct.
“Pretty sure the ball hit the stumps,” he tweeted. “Just not sure it did it before the gloves smashes them. So tough!”
Pretty sure the ball hit the stumps. Just not sure it did it before the gloves smashes them. So tough!
— Jonny Singer (@Jonny_Singer) October 23, 2022
Watch the Axar run out below:
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