Watch: Sri Lanka A opener Yashodha Lanka was given out for obstructing the field in controversial fashion during the Emerging Asia Cup semi-final against Pakistan on Friday.
The first semi-final of the tournament got underway in Al-Amerat, with Sri Lanka A taking on Pakistan Shaheens. Shaheens skipper Mohammed Haris won the toss and chose to bat first.
His decision did not pay off, as Sri Lanka A struck at regular intervals to keep a lid on the scoring rate. Opening bowlers Nipun Ransika and Eshan Malinga took two wickets apiece, as leg-spinner Dushan Hemantha finished with 4-21. Omair Bin Yousuf top-scored with 68 as Pakistan made it to 135-9 in their 20 overs.
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Sri Lankan openers Yashodha Lanka and Lahiru Udara started briskly, before the former was dismissed in somewhat controversial fashion in the third over.
Udara hit the ball into the leg side off Shahnawaz Dahani, and it plugged in the outfield, stopping before the boundary. The ball was recovered by the fielder, who threw it back in towards the stumps as the batters went for a third run.
Lanka had been late to start the third, and was on his way to the striker's end when the throw came in. It struck him, and wicketkeeper Haris appealed instantly. The on-field umpires referred the decision to the TV umpire, who, after much deliberation decided to give Lanka out for obstructing the field.
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Law 37.1.1 of the MCC's Laws of the Game state, "Either batter is out Obstructing the field if, except in the circumstances of 37.2, and while the ball is in play, he/she wilfully attempts to obstruct or distract the fielding side by word or action."
The circumstances of Law 37.2 mentioned here outline that "a batter shall not be out Obstructing the field if the obstruction or distraction is accidental, or the obstruction is in order to avoid injury, or in the case of the striker, he/she makes a second or subsequent strike to guard his/her wicket lawfully."
Lanka did appear to jump as the throw came in, as if he was attempting to take evasive action. In addition, he did not noticeably change his running path to interfere with the ball either. However, the TV umpire still deemed his obstruction wilful enough to be given out.
Watch Yashodha Lanka's obstructing the field dismissal here
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