Mankad Cricket Rule: Fazalhaq Farooqi Comes Under Scrutiny After Heated Game
Fazalhaq Farooqi runs Shadab Khan out at non-strikers' end [Source: X.com]
On Thursday evening, a thrilling encounter between Afghanistan and Pakistan fell prey to another 'Mankading' incident in the fielding that overshadowed the second One-Day International (ODI) at Hambantota.
It might be noted that 'Mankading' is a legal mode of dismissal falling under the laws of cricket published by MCC.
Defending 11 in the final over, Afghan pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi ran the well-set Shadab Khan on the non-strikers' end, which invoked tensions between the players. The match went down till the penultimate delivery when Naseem Shah shattered Afghanistan's dreams of notching their maiden ODI win over Pakistan by hitting a boundary.
Despite the win, Pakistan's players did not find the whole 'Mankading' incident light and did not shy away from showing their discontent.
The Aftermath
Shaheen Shah Afridi Refuses Handshake
With emotions running high Pakistan's leading pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi refused to shake hands with Afghanistan players in the customary post-match tradition. Afridi could be seen rushing back towards the dressing room, also urging other players with him.
Skipper Babar Azam, who was coming down from the dressing room, had to calm Afridi down and encouraged the lethal fast bowler to shake hands and not escalate the tensions.
At the end of the video, Azam could be heard saying, "Shaheenaa.. aaja"
Naseem Shah's animated talk with Azam
Man of the moment, Shah could also be seen talking with Azam and having an animated discussion. It seemed that Shah complained about something to Azam, which in turn caused the Pakistan skipper to have a confrontation with Afghanistan's all-rounder Mohammed Nabi.
Babar Azam-Nabi Encounter
A seemingly angry Azam could be shaking hands with Afghanistan players before confronting Nabi, who was the last in the line. Azam was unhappy and was even seen pointing fingers before shaking hands and moving on. As per reports, the bone of contention was Khan's run-out by Farooqi.
This is not the first time that tempers have flared between the players of both nations, with Afghanistan's Fareed Ahmed and Pakistan's Asif Ali nearly coming to blows in the Asia Cup T20 2021 encounter in Sharjah.
The third and final ODI will be played tomorrow in Colombo, with Pakistan already leading the series 2-0.
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