ISLAMABAD: On Friday (February 28), Australia captain Steve Smith withdrew a run out appeal against Afghanistan’s Noor Ahmad, potentially preventing a repeat of Alex Carey’s controversial run out of Jonny Bairstow in 2023.
Australia faced Afghanistan in the final group stage match of the tournament, which was a virtual knockout, at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Afghanistan’s captain Hashmatullah Shahidi won the toss and chose to bat first.
The Afghan side posted a total of 273, thanks to strong performances from Sediqullah Atal (85) and Azmatullah Omarzai (67).
Afghanistan were eventually bowled out, losing their last wicket on the final ball of the innings, but this could have happened earlier if Smith had not decided to withdraw the run-out appeal.
Steve Smith withdraws run out appeal
On the final ball of the 47th over, Omarzai took a single to mid-on. As his partner, No. 10 batter Noor Ahmad, arrived at the striker’s end, the fielder’s throw came to wicketkeeper Josh Inglis.
Inglis quickly removed the bails, partly out of habit but also because Noor had yet to reach the crease. He then turned to talk to Omarzai as the over was ending.
Inglis appealed for a run out with Noor outside the crease, but before the umpires could refer it to the TV umpire, Steve Smith signalled that the appeal was being withdrawn.
Australia could have easily chosen to keep the appeal, resulting in Noor being given out.
Avoiding potential repeat of Carey-Bairstow incident
Smith’s decision to withdraw the appeal avoided a potential repeat of the controversial incident involving Alex Carey’s run out of Jonny Bairstow during the 2023 Ashes.
In that incident at Lord’s, Carey had removed the stumps after Bairstow left his ground prematurely at the end of the over, off a delivery from Cameron Green.
Australia appealed, and captain Pat Cummins upheld the decision. The third umpire had no choice but to give Bairstow out stumped, according to the rules.
The incident sparked a major backlash, with many accusing Australia of violating the ‘spirit of the game.’
England’s players were visibly upset at the time, though Joe Root later reflected on the dismissal a year later, saying, “Jonny will hate me saying this, but if you stay in your crease you can’t get given out, can you?”
Carey faced boos for the remainder of the Test, and in Australia’s next match at the same venue in September 2024, wicketkeeper Josh Inglis was booed for attempting to claim a bounce-catch.
Carey, now without the gloves, was also part of that match, as he has been in Australia’s Champions Trophy games as well.
