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Run-Out Off A No-Ball? Drama Unfolds In Nepal vs Afghanistan Under-19 Tie
Follow UsIt was Afghanistan who walked away with a closely-fought one-run victory
An interesting event took place in a match between Nepal Under-19 and Afghanistan Under-19 at the Mulpani Cricket Ground in Kathmandu on April 6 (Sunday). In the final over of the match, when Nepal needed three of three, Dhruv Sonar was run out off a no-ball at the striker's end.
Needing 11 off the final over in a chase of 169, Dhruv struck two fours in the first three balls to reduce the equation to three off three.
Bowling the fourth ball of the over, skipper Mahboob Khan bowled Dhruv, but the umpire deemed that as a no-ball. Dhruv, as a result, stepped out of his crease, assuming the match was over as he was bowled. However, Afghanistan wicketkeeper Khalid Ahmadzai used his presence of mind to collect the ball and knock over the wickets when Dhruv was out of the crease.
However, was this the right decision? Can the batter be run out off a no-ball? According to Law 38.2 of the MCC rule book, a batter CANNOT be given out if "No ball has been called and he/she is out of his/her ground not attempting a run and the wicket is fairly broken by the wicketkeeper without the intervention of another fielder."
It remains unclear if Dhruv was attempting a run. Perhaps the umpire thought so, and he was given out as a result. Or was it a case of the umpires not knowing or understanding the laws of the game?
Afghanistan hung on to a one-run victory in the three-match Youth One-Day International (YODI) series. Nepal needed to win this game to stay alive in the seires. However, it is Afghanistan who claimed victory and have taken an unassailable 2-0 lead.
The third game will be played at Mulpani on April 9 (Wednesday).