The controversial run-out of Muneeba Ali during the ICC Women's World Cup match between India and Pakistan in Colombo on Sunday was correct as per the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC).
The MCC addressed the incident and stated Ali was correctly given out, explaining that it did not fall under the “bouncing bat law”. The rule protects a batter who unintentionally loses contact with the ground while moving toward the crease, but not one who is turning back for another run. The lawmakers also noted that the provision was introduced in 2010 and does not extend to situations like Ali’s dismissal.
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“This law, which was introduced in 2010 and is sometimes referred to as the ‘bouncing bat law’, is to protect a batter who inadvertently loses contact with the ground as they move towards the stumps, either with their bat bouncing up or just with both their feet being airborne through the natural process of running.”
“It does not protect a batter who is turning for another run, overbalancing, or who – as in Muneeba’s case – simply lifts their bat into the air. The third umpire was entirely correct to give this out,” the MCC said.
Ali was caught in a momentarily brain-fade moment, which led to her dismissal for 2(12). The Indians naturally went up in appeal after the batter was rapped on her pads by an incoming delivery from Kranti Goud. The batter had walked out of her crease but had returned and had grounded her bat when the umpire declared it not-out.
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For a split second, though, Ali lifted her willow, and Deepti Sharma, who had been aiming for the wickets, struck timber at that very moment. The third umpire adjudged the batter out after the Indians appealed, much to the dismay of Pakistan captain Fatima Sana, who was spotted chatting with fourth umpire Kim Cotton. Pakistan even lost the game by 88 runs, which was their second loss in as many games in the tournament.
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