Watch: Afghanistan batter hit reverse scoop over third man, umpires calls dead ball
Mujeeb Ur Rahman (Image Credit: Twitter)
Afghanistan and Sri Lanka locked horns at the Gabba in the Super 12 round of the ongoing 20-20 World Cup 2022. This was a must-win game for both teams even though their chances of qualifying for the semis are almost none. The 2104 winners played three games before this and had only one win to their name. Also, their Net Run Rate (NRR) is still poor (-0.457).
On the other hand, Afghanistan suffered a defeat and two washed-out games prior to this game. This meant that their chances were slim anyway. Meanwhile, during the game, an unusual incident happened which has become the talk of the town. Apparently, in the last over of Afghanistan’s innings, Mujeeb Ur Rahman hit a reverse scoop over the third-man fielder. However, it turned out to be a deal ball.
Notably, the umpires weren’t ready and the Lankan Lions skipper Dasun Shanaka was adjusting his field.
Watch the video here
Dead ball pic.twitter.com/7PrcF3Lhpo
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Notably, Wanidu Hasaranga, who bowled the over hadn’t conceded a boundary in this game. After the umpire’s decision, he might have had a sigh of relief as he didn’t concede any boundary since and took his third wicket of the final ball. After the game, the all-rounder said “We lost our last two games against Australia and New Zealand. We had to play at our best. I am really happy with the way the boys played. I saw Zampa bowled really well in the last match and tried to bowl in line of the stumps and vary my pace. In Perth I went for some runs and that pitch is very good for batters. I knew how I could come back strong and I think I did that. [Bowling the last over] These [long] boundaries and on this surfaces, I knew how to bowl with these big boundaries.”
The former champions went on to win the game. Afghanistan could only score 144/8. Sri Lanka chase down the target in just 18.3 overs and lost only four wickets.
