West Indies ‘mankad’ Zimbabwe to enter ICC U-19 World Cup quarter-final; Cricket world reacts on Twitter

West Indies controversially entered the quarterfinal of the Under-19 World Cup on Tuesday, after their bowler Keemo Paul ‘Mankaded’ Zimbabwe’s last man in the last over, when the latter required just three runs to win.

Paul ran through to bowl the first delivery of Zimbabwe innings’ last over but stopped just short of his delivery stride and broke the stumps, catching the non-striker Richard Ngarava short of his ground. West Indian players appealed for the run out and the on field umpires decided to consult the TV umpire, without confirming once with the West Indians whether they wanted to hold it back or not.

Ngarava’s bat was found right on the line, which belongs to the umpire. He was declared out as the West Indians celebrated in jubilation while the distraught Zimbabweans could not believe what happened. With this win, West Indies progressed to the quarter finals while Zimbabwe were knocked out.

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During the post match ceremony, Zimbabwe captain Brandon Mavuta was in tears and simply refused to comment on the incident. On the other hand, the West Indies captain Shimron Hetmyer said he was comfortable with the decision to Mankad the final wicket. “I would say yes, cricket is a game of uncertainties, we’ve seen it happen in cricket before, it’s not a big deal for us,” he said. At the same time, he even agreed that it was “Probably not in the spirit of the game.”

This is what happened:

West Indies have beaten Zimbabwe in the #U19CWC with a Mankad in the final over. Should this have been given out? pic.twitter.com/adkUSduGr7

— Sporting Index (@sportingindex) February 2, 2016

The incident has opened a debate and divided the cricket fraternity, with some agreeing with what West Indies did, claiming it was absolutely within the laws of the game, while some claiming it was against the spirit of the game. Let’s take a look at some of the top tweets on this issue:

Right or wrong, just a sad way to end a good game especially with so much on the line #winatallcosts????

— Stephen Fleming (@SPFleming7) February 2, 2016

Well done?? Not so sure about that https://t.co/a7vEt1s8ga

— Albie Morkel (@albiemorkel) February 2, 2016

Love the discussion between @mmbangwa and @irbishi both making valid points..Better cool down if not I will pour ice water on you 2 tomorrow — Russel Arnold (@RusselArnold69) February 2, 2016

Hahaha… From “Lagaan” https://t.co/ilSt13Wwe9

— Russel Arnold (@RusselArnold69) February 2, 2016

Unbelievable , Not out #U19CWC https://t.co/caofiOStQm — Darren Lehmann (@darren_lehmann) February 2, 2016

This is not a good look. absolutely disgraceful behaviour!! https://t.co/Jmj4DTGM0I

— Stephen Fleming (@SPFleming7) February 2, 2016

Disgraceful behaviour in the U19CWC. WI’s should be embarrassed!! — Eoin Morgan (@Eoin16) February 2, 2016

@RusselArnold69 terrible stuff!! What a way to win a game of cricket!

— Kevin O’Brien (@KevinOBrien113) February 2, 2016

@johnflint4 I dont think that would be fair to West Indies. The Mankad is in the books isn’t it? They used the rule and won the game fair — Rahul Singh (@rahulksingh291) February 2, 2016

I don’t know what is unfair from the West Indies. Nee generation can’t be flag bearers of their old. They’re different.

— Dan. (@dannnyy67) February 2, 2016

Absolutely disgusted with West indies. You should be ashamed! Hope u get beaten badly in the next game. U don’t deserve to be there! #CWCU19 — Richard (@Richardjarv83) February 2, 2016

West Indies don’t need the win, they have achieved other things in the past, we needed this, this was our one chance to be victorious,

— The Virgin Saga (@stuntuya) February 2, 2016

What was an epic conclusion to a game of cricket has been ruined. Hope the West Indies Under-19s get smashed in their QF. Disgrace — Nick Gordon (@NickReporter) February 2, 2016

RIP Sportsmen spirit: West Indies got a cheap win against Zimbabwe in U19 Cricket World Cup #ICC #Cricket

— farai.enos (@faraienos) February 2, 2016

What West Indies just did to us is sort of the equivalent of what Luis Suarez did when Uruguay knocked Ghana out of the 2010 WC — Tinotenda Murove (@tino_54) February 2, 2016

West Indies U-19 just killed the spirit of the game, shamefull

— Aayam Shrestha (@aayam_shrest) February 2, 2016

What a diabolical way to Win a Cricket Match.Hang your Heads in Shame West Indies. — Robin Hobbs (@robin_hobbs) February 2, 2016

Fans of a certain age will remember Courtney Walsh famously refusing to Mankad Saleem Jaffar even after warning him. Different West Indies.

— Anand Vasu (@anandvasu) February 2, 2016

Zimbabwe 3 to win in 7 Balls Last Pair Batting West Indies bowler Mankad and Last Man out for Run out WI U19 through to Q/F — Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) February 2, 2016

Controversy at the #U19WC as West Indies defeat Zimbabwe by 2 runs with the last wicket taken via a mankad pic.twitter.com/Q7iGaYcAMH

— Test Match Special (@bbctms) February 2, 2016

Absolute disgrace from West Indies U19! How can their coach allow that to happen! Embarrassed to say I’m involved in this sport!! — Neil Carter (@NeilMCarter) February 2, 2016

Top speed of 147.5 kmh from West Indies Alzarri Joseph! Zimbabwe feeling the heat! #futurestars #ICCU19CWC

— Alan Wilkins (@alanwilkins22) February 2, 2016

I cant support what just happened in the #U19CWC @ICC perhaps a decision taken without thought… #sportsmanship — Alviro Petersen (@AlviroPetersen) February 2, 2016

Go @irbishi Go…why is it there in the laws ?? Is sledging in the spirit… ??

— Russel Arnold (@RusselArnold69) February 2, 2016

The Mankad was started by the English in “The Lagaan”…. before independence!! — Russel Arnold (@RusselArnold69) February 2, 2016

That is a ridiculous way to finish a game!!! Awful sportsmanship!! #U19wc #WI19vZim19

— James Taylor (@jamestaylor20) February 2, 2016

That’s disgusting #U19wc — Kyle Jarvis (@KyleJarv89) February 2, 2016