Australia skipper Steve Smith withdrew his side's run out appeal against Afghanistan on Friday (February 28). Here's what the Laws of Cricket say about the situation, had the appeal been upheld.
Steve Smith withdraws run out appeal
In a virtual knockout match in the Champions Trophy, Australia were sent into the field after Afghanistan skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi chose to bat first. After a promising 68-run fourth-wicket stand between Shahidi and Sediqullah Atal (85) was broken, they quickly slipped from 176-4 to 199-7, and then 235-8.
Match 10, Afghanistan vs Australia
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- Ball by ball Over
Off the final ball of the 47th over of the innings, Azmatullah Omarzai took a single to mid-on, and retained the strike for the following over. Broadcast cameras did not display it in the moment, but replays showed that upon the completion of that single, Australia keeper Josh Inglis had whipped the bails off at the striker's end as Noor Ahmad completed the run but then left his ground to meet with his batting partner in the middle.
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There had been an appeal from Inglis for run out, but before the umpires could ask the TV umpire to check the incident, Australia captain Steve Smith clearly indicated to them that his side were not appealing, presumably because they were satisfied that the over had been completed, and that Noor was not attempting another run.
What do the Laws say?
Had the appeal not been withdrawn, Noor could possibly have been run out. According to Law 20.1.2, as per the Champions Trophy 2025 Playing Conditions, "The ball shall be considered to be dead when it is clear to the bowler’s end umpire that the fielding side and both batters at the wicket have ceased to regard it as in play."
Theoretically, Inglis breaking the stumps and appealing could have counted as the fielding side regarding the ball as being still in play. In that case, the ball would not be dead, and Noor was out of his ground when the bails were taken off (whether he was attempting a run or not is irrelevant).
However, as the incident occurred, the Australian fielders had already begun to switch ends, and umpire Alex Wharf had already begun handing bowler Nathan Ellis' cap back to him. In this case, it would be left to the umpires to decide whether the fielding side had ceased to regard the ball as being in play or not – but as it happened, they were eventually spared the decision-making by Smith's withdrawal of the appeal.
Afghanistan went on to score 273 in their 50 overs. Australia made significant inroads when they came out to bat, plundering 90-1 in their first 10 overs.
Image credit: JioHotstar
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