Australia skipper Steve Smith withdrew a run out appeal against Afghanistan's Noor Ahmad on Friday (February 28), potentially avoiding a repeat of Alex Carey's infamous run out of Jonny Bairstow in 2023.
Australia took on Afghanistan in both sides' final group stage match of the tournament – a virtual knockout at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi won the toss and elected to bat first.
His side put up 273, courtesy of Sediqullah Atal (85) and Azmatullah Omarzai (67). Afghanistan were bowled out, losing their final wicket off the final ball of the innings, but that could have happened earlier if not for Steve Smith withdrawing a run out appeal.
Match 10, Afghanistan vs Australia
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Steve Smith withdraws run out appeal against Afghanistan
Off the final ball of the 47th over, Omarzai took a single to mid-on. As his partner, No.10 batter Noor Ahmad, arrived at the striker's end, the throw came in from the fielder to the wicketkeeper, Josh Inglis.
Inglis whipped off the bails, partly in out of routine, but also partly because Noor had reached the crease, before turning around and leaving it to have a talk with Omarzai as the over was coming to an end. Inglis appealed for a run out with Noor outside the crease, but before the umpires could refer the decision to the TV umpire, Smith made it clear that any appeal was being withdrawn. Noor could easily have been given out had Australia chosen to uphold the appeal instead.
Australia avoid potential repeat of Carey-Bairstow incident
Smith's withdrawal of the appeal meant any potential incident similar to Alex Carey's now-infamous run out of Jonny Bairstow during the 2023 Ashes had been avoided.
On that occasion at Lord's, Carey had thrown the stumps down off the bowling of Cameron Green as Bairstow left his ground prematurely at the end of the over. Australia appealed, and captain Pat Cummins upheld that decision. It was referred to the third umpire, who had no choice but to give Bairstow out stumped as per the letter of the law.
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The incident created a furore over Australia breaching the 'spirit of the game', and England's players were not pleased about it in the moment – although Joe Root seemed to have come to terms with the dismissal a year later when he said, "Jonny will hate me saying this, but if you stay in your crease you can't get given out can you?"
Carey was booed for the rest of the Test match, and in Australia's next match at the venue in September 2024, another wicketkeeper was booed – Inglis this time, for attempting to claim a bounce-catch. Carey was also playing in that match, without the gloves – as has been the case in Australia's Champions Trophy matches as well.
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