Afghanistan bowler Noor Ahmed Lakanwal created a moment of controversy in the ongoing ICC U19 World Cup when he ‘Mankaded’ Pakistan batsman Mohammad Huraira during the fourth quarterfinal match of the tournament.
This all happened in the 28th over of the second innings when Pakistan had lost two wickets in quick succession. The experienced Rohail Nazir and Fahad Munir were back in the hut and Muhammad Huraira who had opened the innings needed to stay in the middle till the end. However, he was caught surprised as Ahmad ‘Mankaded’ him.
The on-field umpires urged the bowler to stay calm after appealed vociferously and discussed the matter before sending it upstairs. And the replays confirmed that Huraira was out of his crease even before the bowler delivered the ball. Going by the laws of the game, the dismissal is legitimate and the third umpire also upheld the appeal to adjudge the batsman run-out.
Later, Qasim Akram (25) and Mohammad Haris (29) added an unbeaten stand of 63 runs to take their team over the finishing line. Pakistan will now take on India in the first semi-final of the tournament on February 4 at the Senwes Park in Potchefstroom.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
You cannot expect some sportsmanship when Afghans are playing against #Pakistan. Huraira mankad! #PAKvsAFG
— Shiraz Hassan (@ShirazHassan) January 31, 2020
Not a pretty Scene in any type of cricket !!
especially on Junior level !! #Mankad #PAKvsAFG #U19CWC— Muhammad Wasim (@MuhammadWasim77) January 31, 2020
Surely 16-year-old boys can have the sense to stay in their crease until the ball leaves the bowler’s hand? https://t.co/QzLk7jumvi
— Derek Alberts (@derekalberts1) January 31, 2020
That's the 2nd Mankad that I've seen in an U19CWC..
First one was in 2016 WC.
And Ian Bishop was on air both times. 😏 #PAKvAFG #AFGvPAK #U19CWC pic.twitter.com/JxyVn4R4BP— Abhijith S (@Abhi_mania) January 31, 2020
.@ashwinravi99 💪 pic.twitter.com/9k1eEZwtcQ
— . (@BringBackCLT20) January 31, 2020
no need to rock n roll that https://t.co/sFAeZxDprB
— Rick Eyre on cricket (@rickeyrecricket) January 31, 2020
Can already see which IPL team Noor Ahmad will be going to in future https://t.co/GPRClI5o7O
— absy (@absycric) January 31, 2020
If you chose not to Mankad, you are actually putting your "values" ahead of the team's interests. That's pretty selfish and such players shouldn't be picked in a team.
— Flighted Leggie (@flighted_leggie) January 31, 2020
Certainly not a good sight, seeing young Cricketers opting for Mankad. https://t.co/K4uYqfLFfn
— Faizan Lakhani (@faizanlakhani) January 31, 2020
Mankad is all fun and well within rule of law untill it happens to one of your team player
— . (@AnasMagnificent) January 31, 2020
Can’t blame the Afghan bowler one bit for the mankad as the rules are clear cut. Inch or a mile you can’t take advantage. As for spirit of cricket that’s another nonsense itself. Simple as that.#PAKvAFG
— Osman Mahmood (@osman_fz) January 31, 2020
England’s Jos Buttler has twice been Mankaded in recent years, by Sri Lanka’s Sachithra Senanayake in an ODI in 2014 and then by India’s Ravichandran Ashwin in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2019 as he batted for Rajasthan Royals against Kings XI Punjab.
