‘Runout hota hai woh’ – Fans react after popular Pakistani sports journalist tweets about ‘Mankad’ dismissals

Pakistan won the 2^nd ODI against Afghanistan in a thrilling match. The men in green won the game by one wicket with a ball to spare. The win meant that Pakistan had taken an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the three-match ODI series. One of the contentious moments of the game was when Shadab Khan was run out in controversial circumstances. Fazalhaq Farooqi ran out the Pakistan leg-spin bowler when he had backed off too far from the crease. Shadab Khan was run out for 48 in the final over of the game.

Farid Khan who is a noted Pakistani journalist recently took to Twitter. Farid Khan had a lot to say once the dismissal of Shadab Khan became a hotly debated topic. Taking to Twitter, he wrote “Pakistan bowlers have been involved in 0 Mankad dismissals, they have never run an opposition batter that way” Using this as an opportunity, Farid Khan took aim at India and wrote “Bangladesh, England, Ireland, South Africa and Zimbabwe bowlers have also never been involved in Mankad. India bowlers have been involved in the most Mankad dismissals (3) – via Mazher Arshad”

Mankad is a legitimate form of dismissal

As per the latest rule amendments, Mankad is now considered a legitimate form of dismissal. The form of dismissal is now termed a runout and has been given legality in recent times. Despite the form of dismissal being called legal, there are many who have raised their voice in recent times. The latest swipe at India from the Pakistani journalist is close on the heels of the upcoming Asia Cup 2023.

Vinoo Mankad was the player after whom the dismissal was named and it was soon deemed illegal by the powers to be. In 1992, Kapil Dev ran out Peter Kirsten to create a storm. Ravichandran Ashwin ran out Sri Lanka batter during the Tri-nation series in Australia in early 2012. Virender Sehwag though withdrew the appeal in keeping with the spirit of the game.Earlier this year, Mohammad Shami tried to run out Dasun Shanka during an ODI when the Lankan skipper was on 98. Rohit Sharma though did not go ahead with the appeal and was applauded for it. Deepti Sharma in 2022, ran out an English batter in a tense game to earn India a win. This move was called out and criticized by many terming it against the “Spirit of the game”

Here is how the fans reacted –

https://twitter.com/_FaridKhan/status/1695326699041313055

Mankad is within the law of cricket

Nothing wrong which is as per the law

— Ash (@Ashsay_) August 26, 2023

It’s called a runout Larid, Shadab tried to cheat by stealing a single there and got runout that’s it, go back to MCG last year King was well within the crease till Nawaz released then ball when 2 of 1 was the situation, that’s what is called following the rules thoda sikh lete…

— Rahul Varma (@urscoolrahul) August 26, 2023

https://twitter.com/TasneemKhatai1/status/1695328743554957710

But dismissal is a dismissal, don't drag it like it's the end of the world and why Shadab ran early before the bowler bowling, you should demand for penalty against shadab tbh

— Rj (@rjkabaddi) August 26, 2023

Run hota hai wo rule hai , batsman bhi unfair adwanteges leta hai

— Shankar Raika (@ShankarRaika51) August 26, 2023

Pakistan's Zaib Un Nisa Niaz did it and that's too in 2023 against Rwanda🤡🙈
Secondly, there is nothing called 'Mankad', it's 'Non-striker run out'. pic.twitter.com/3hFQqhlsvl

— Debdatta 𝕏 🇮🇳 (@NayakDebdatta) August 26, 2023

1. It is not called Mankad. If you follow the game and understand the rules it is called – Run out.

2. It is not against the spirit of the game. It’s legitimate and called game awareness, which perhaps might be missing from Pakistani players & hence they haven’t attempted it

— rᥲȷі𝗍🇮🇳 (@imrajitd) August 26, 2023