 "The bizarre run out of Ali Raza led to Pakistan's defeat to England in the U19 World Cup. Image: @thecricketmen/X")
Pakistan’s Under-19 World Cup match against England was marred by a bizarre run-out for the last wicket, resulting in a 37-run defeat for Pakistan in their Group B opener at the Takashinga Sports Club in Harare on Friday. The bizarre incident took place in the 47th over of the final innings when Pakistan still needed 37 runs to win, chasing 211.
Pakistan had just one wicket left, and at the crease were Momim Qamar, who was on 18 not out from 28 balls, while Ali Raza had scored 1 run from three balls. While the task looked extremely difficult, Momim and Raza had given Pakistan a glimmer of hope with a 13-runpartnership.
Ali Raza’s brain fade run-out ends Pakistan’s hope
But it all came undone on the third ball of the 47th over when Momim tried taking a single off Manny Lumsden. This allowed No 11 batter Ali Raza to take the strike, but he suffered a brain fade while completing the run as he moved back to avoid the throw coming to England captain and wicket-keeper Thomas Rew.
Just as Raza pulled out of his crease to avoid the Ben Mayes throw, Rew quickly collected the ball and broke the stumps. It was shocking to see on live television, and the replays confirmed the worst as Raza was declared run out, bringing an end to Pakistan’s innings.
Here’s the video of the bizarre run-out involving Pakistan’s Ali Raza:
One can only sympathise with the youngster, as it is almost certain that he must have received a heavy dressing down from the coach in the locker room.
Pakistan captain Farhan Yousaf, after the match, said that his team will try to bat better in the middle next time to not leave things for the lower order.
“Learnt a lot of things for the next matches. I believe my middle-order batters will play well in the next matches,” he said.
England would next face Zimbabwe on 18 January, while a disappointed Pakistan would be up against Scotland on 19 January.