In a bizarre moment during the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, Pakistan’s left-arm spinner Nashra Sandhu was denied a wicket due to an unusual rule involving a fallen towel. Playing against Sri Lanka in the second match of the tournament, Sandhu appeared to dismiss Nilakshika Silva for a leg-before-wicket (LBW) on the first ball of the 13th over. However, the decision was overturned after the umpire declared the ball dead because Sandhu’s towel fell during her delivery.
The incident happened as Sri Lanka struggled to chase Pakistan’s modest total of 116 runs. Nashra Sandhu bowled a full delivery that Silva completely missed while attempting a slog sweep. The on-field umpire initially adjudged Silva out, but just moments later, the decision was reversed when the third umpire intervened, citing that the ball was dead. The reason? Sandhu’s towel, which had been tucked in her waistband, fell mid-delivery, creating a distraction for the batter.
The Rule Behind the Reversal
The ruling that led to the overturned decision stems from Clause 20.4.2.6 of the MCC laws. This clause states that a ball is declared dead if the striker is distracted by any noise or movement while preparing to receive, or in the process of receiving, a delivery. In this instance, the umpire deemed that the falling towel created a distraction for Nilakshika Silva, prompting the decision to revoke the dismissal.
Such instances are rare but not unheard of in cricket. A similar situation occurred in the County Championship earlier this year when South African pacer Kyle Abbott lost out on a wicket after his towel fell as he bowled Shoaib Bashir. As per the laws, both decisions were upheld due to the distraction caused by the falling towel.
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Former Player Sana Mir reacts
Pakistan legend Sana Mir is currently doing commentary during the ICC Women’s World Cup 2024. Mir agreed to the decision of the third umpire. She said that sometimes when the batter is on strike and the towel falls down during bowlers delivery stride, it may act as a hindrance for the batter distracting him. The former Pakistani Player said that rather than watching the ball, you might watch the towel falling down and hence it’s a right decision to declare the ball as a no ball.
Impact on the Match
Despite the odd reversal, the incident had little impact on the final outcome of the match. Sri Lanka, the reigning Women’s Asia Cup champions, crumbled under the pressure of Pakistan’s disciplined bowling attack and were bowled out for just 85 runs, handing Pakistan a comprehensive 31-run victory.
Nashra Sandhu’s performance remained key to Pakistan’s success, as she continued to bowl tight lines despite the overturned decision. Sri Lanka’s batting lineup, led by Silva, struggled throughout the chase, with no significant partnerships forming to chase down the target.
A Missed Opportunity for Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka had earlier done well to restrict Pakistan to a total of 116, bowling out their opponents in the first innings. However, their batting woes came to the fore as they collapsed under pressure, unable to capitalize on Pakistan’s relatively low total.
Had Silva’s dismissal been upheld, Sri Lanka’s situation would have been even more dire. Instead, the team was granted a temporary reprieve, but they couldn’t build on it, eventually losing the match decisively.
Looking Forward
For Pakistan, the win provides a crucial boost to their World Cup campaign as they look to secure a place in the knockout stages. For Sri Lanka, the loss puts them in a precarious position early in the tournament, and they will need to regroup quickly if they hope to make an impact in the coming games.
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