A bilateral series is currently being played by West Indies and Afghanistan in Lucknow. When they played the series’ first ODI on November 6, a controversy arose after Ikram Alikhil’s run out.
Ikram Alikhil gets controversially run out
When Afghanistan batted first, they had lost both of their openers, with their score being 2-15. Rahmat Shah and wicket-keeper Ikram Alikhil set up a 111-run partnership for the third wicket to stabilize the team.
On the third ball of the 27th over, Rahmat Shah picked up a single to get to his fifty and Alikhil completed the run and immediately went on to congratulate his contemporary at the other end.
What he didn’t realize was that the ball was still in play and West Indies keeper Shai Hope, who got a throw from Evin Lewis while he left the crease, dislodged the bails at the end of the striker.
Alikhil, who by that time had finished his own fifty, had no choice but to head back to the Pavilion.
It was Alikhil’s first game since the World Cup. In the three-match series, West Indies won the Lucknow game by 7 wickets to go 1-0 up.
Was the run-out is in the spirit of cricket?
Twitter was abuzz with fans whose loyalty was divided between the two teams after Alikhil’s controversial run-out, and the effect it possibly had on the Afghanistan innings. Many stood with Hope for his emotional strength while others opposed the act, categorizing it against the cricket spirit.
Here Are Some Twitter Reactions:
Afghanistan’s Ikram Ali left the crease to Congratulate his partner Rahmat Shah ( Whilst the ball was still in play ) after he scored a Fifty
And Shai Hope Ran him out
Bizarre 😑 #AFGvWI pic.twitter.com/wbPLLps5vj
— Nibraz Ramzan (@nibraz88cricket) November 6, 2019
The run out of Ikram Ali (Afghanistan) shows lack of spirit on behalf of West Indies. Would you call it a Gentleman's game?#AFGvWI @bhogleharsha
— Chirag Chheda (@chhedachirag185) November 6, 2019
Strange incident in Lucknow, Ikram Ali Khil, run out. Shai Hope shouldn't have gone for the appeal, as he was not taking a run.
I used to think that Shai Hope is next great in Windies team, but he had lost all his respect from me. #AfgVsWindies— Barry Allen (@Shudh_Aam) November 6, 2019
2006 A controversial run out of Muttiah Muralitharan, who was dismissed as he went to congratulate centurion Kumar Sangakkara, overshadowed New Zealand's first Test win over Sri Lanka in Christchurch.
2019 – Ikram Ali Khil #AFGvWI 🏏 pic.twitter.com/YMe76fHWto— Ishara Isuru 🏏⚽️🏉 (@Ishisuru1) November 6, 2019
#WIvsAFG pic.twitter.com/u3SwpGU78r
— Nishant Barai (@barainishant) November 6, 2019
