RUN-OUT CONFUSION STOPS CRICKET WORLD CUP MATCH TEMPORARILY

The World Cup match between India and Pakistan was brought to a halt because of confusion over a run-out.

During the fourth over in Pakistan’s innings in Colombo, Muneeba Ali wandered out of her crease while India appealed for an LBW.

Ali wasn’t attempting a run and had initially grounded her bat before Deepti Sharma bowled. She then raised her bat off the ground with no other part of her body grounded behind the line.

It was at this point that Sharma threw the ball and hit the stumps that dislodged the bails.

ESPN Cric Info reports that ICC Playing Condition 30.1.2 doesn’t allow for a batter to lose contact with the ground beyond the crease and not be given out. Yet, that exception is usually only granted to a batter who’s “running or driving towards her ground”.

It was clear that Muneeba was only stepping back into the crease.

The playing condition further states: "However, a batter shall not be considered to be out of her ground if, in running or diving towards her ground and beyond, and having grounded some part of her person or bat beyond the popping crease, there is subsequent loss of contact between the ground and any part of her person or bat, or between the bat and person."

The on-field umpires and the third umpire confirmed Ali was out. But when she started walking to leave the field, her teammates indicated that she should stay right there on the field. Only after several minutes of no play, Pakistan’s players indicated to Ali that she could walk off the field.

Image credit: Hindustan Times