Follow UsPakistan’s Test skipper Shan Masood was given a reprieve in the second session of day one of the third and final Test against Australia in Sydney on Wednesday (January 3). Mitchell Marsh, however, redeemed himself pretty quickly and made sure the batter couldn’t cash in on his mistake.
The Australian all-rounder was brought into the attack in the 26th over and had Masood caught at second slip five deliveries later, but only to find out he had overstepped. Masood, who has been one of Pakistan’s better batters in this series, was on 32 at that stage.
The left-hander played a half-hearted shot to a delivery going away with the angle. Masood wanted to guide it toward the third man region but ended up outside edging it to Steven Smith. Marsh went on a celebratory run, however, main umpire Richard Illingworth stopped the party and declared it a no-ball.
Mitch Marsh got the wicket of Shan Masood - but it was a no ball!
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 3, 2024
However, 10 balls later, he got him again! #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/bJxYikSIIc
Pakistan would have been 87/5 if Marsh hadn’t overstepped. “What a let-off for Shan Masood. He’s gotten away with it. Mitchell Marsh can’t believe it,” said former Australian cricketer Michael Hussey on Fox Cricket commentary.
The only thing is that it cost Australia only three runs. A couple of overs later, Marsh bowling his third over, got him out almost in a similar fashion. And this time, he didn’t cross the line. Once again on length and moving away, Masood tried to block it but ended up edging it to Smith at second slip.
Marsh turned back straightaway to check with the umpire if he was fine and Illingworth said he was. Masood perished on 35, leaving Pakistan reeling at 96/5 before 30 overs.