Published: Jul 18, 2016, 06:13 PM (IST)
Edited: Jul 19, 2016, 01:46 PM (IST)
Ireland and Afghanistan may be considered as cricketing minnows, but both these sides are giant killers when it comes to big tournaments. On every level, these teams have surprised the big boys of world cricket by playing extraordinary cricket. Quite naturally thus, when these two teams meet, the quality of cricket is reasonably good. The current five-match series between them in Ireland is no different. ALSO READ: ICC need to stand up to save cricket in Ireland!
It has been closely fought so far, as both teams were drawn level at 1-1 after the first three matches with one being washed out. The fourth game was expected to be a close affair too, but unfortunately it was marred by controversy. Ireland veteran and former England batsman Ed Joyce was ruled run out in a controversial manner during his side’s chase. His dismissal triggered a collapse as Ireland were all out for 150 in pursuit of 230. ALSO READ: Do Afghanistan deserve Test cricket status more than Zimbabwe?
The incident happened on the fifth ball of the sixth over, when Joyce played towards the extra cover boundary and ran two runs comfortably. Fielder Mohammad Nabi gave a long chase to the ball and quite controversially, picked the ball from behind the boundary line and returned the throw to the keeper. In the meantime, thinking the umpire had signalled a boundary as Nabi had visibly crossed the boundary ropes, Joyce was casually walking on the pitch when the wicketkeeper dislodged the bails and appealed for a run out.
Soon the atmosphere was filled with confusion as the umpire ruled Joyce out, without taking the matters upstairs to the TV umpire. Watch the video of the incident here:
Ed Joyce in bizarre run-out drama… #LOL #IREvAFG pic.twitter.com/nioQq7jEHC
— Taimoor Zaman (@taimoorza1) July 18, 2016
A shocked Joyce had no option but to return back to the pavilion. As it happened, from 1 for 27, his side collapsed to 150 all out and lost the match by 79 runs. Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan registered career best batting and bowling figures as he scored 60 not out and picked 4 for 21. Questions were raised on Nabi’s honesty, as the fielder did not oppose umpire’s decision despite being well aware about his position. Ireland team’s media manager Barry Chambers could not hide his disappointment and tweeted:
Nabi claims the run out of @edjoyce24 despite being well over the boundary. Poor form from @ACBofficials pic.twitter.com/Pozb0JuJDK
— Barry Chambers (@irishcricket1) July 17, 2016
The Irish board’s and Europe cricket’s official Twitter handles also tweeted:
Ed Joyce has been run out with a presumed 4. Bad news after the incredible display from @edjoyce24 in ODI3
27/1 6 overs #IREVAFG— Cricket Ireland (@Irelandcricket) July 17, 2016
This piece of fielding led to the run out of Ed Joyce in the ODI between Ireland and Afghanistan this afternoon. pic.twitter.com/7AkknNnjvT
— CricketEurope (@CricketEurope) July 17, 2016
At the same time, few also raised objection on the umpires for failing to conduct their duties in a fair manner.
Why is everyone piling on to Nabi/Afghanistan in this Joyce runout episode? Umpire is incompetent if he can’t see a guy that far over rope.
— Peter Della Penna (@PeterDellaPenna) July 17, 2016
Well, however sad the incident may be, all the stakeholders involved need to take the lesson from it, get over with it and move on. There is still the final ODI to be played and the hosts can draw the series by winning it. Afghanistan lead the five match series 2-1 at the moment and the fifth and final match will be played on Tuesday.
