Twitter Reactions: Afghanistan's Noor Ahmad mankads Pakistan's Mohammad Huraira in U19 World Cup

Afghanistan and Pakistan are currently fighting it out in the quarterfinal of the ongoing Under-19 World Cup in South Africa. After opting to bat first, Afghanistan were bundled out for just 189 runs and they are trying their best to defend the total. And in the process, a huge controversy has been sparked by the chinaman Noor Ahmad who mankaded the set batsman Muhammad Huraira.

The incident took place in the 28th over of the innings when Pakistan had lost two wickets in quick succession. The experienced Rohail Nazir and Fahad Munir were back in the hut and Muhammad Huraira who had opened the innings needed to stay in the middle till the end. However, he was caught surprised with Ahmad mankading him.

The on-field umpires urged the bowler to stay calm after appealed vociferously and discussed the matter before sending it upstairs. And the replays confirmed that Huraira was out of his crease even before the bowler delivered the ball. Going by the laws of the game, the dismissal is legitimate and the third umpire also upheld the appeal to adjudge the batsman run-out.

Having said that, the dismissal once again, like it had in the IPL when Ravi Ashwin mankaded Jos Buttler, will spark a debate on the spirit of the game.

Afghanistan collapse with the bat

Earlier in the day, Afghanistan batsmen couldn’t do much after their skipper opted to bat first. It was a good chance for them to post a big total and then put pressure on Pakistan. But they could only manage to muster 189 runs in 49.1 overs. Ibrahim Zadran and Farhan Zakhil started well to stitch 41 runs in less than seven overs. But once the partnership was broken, the going got tough for the rest of the batsmen.

Afghanistan lost wickets at regular intervals and though there were a couple of 20s by the middle order batsmen Rahmanullah and Abid Mohammadi they were never in control. At one stage, the team was reeling at 152/8 and could reach 189 only due to Abdul Rahman’s 30-run knock.

Meanwhile, the recent mankading stunned the social media as well and the debate once again has sparked about the form of the dismissal and the laws of the game.

Here’s how Twitter reacted:

#PAKvsAFG#U19CWC
Wow Noor Ahmed has done a Ravi Ashwin here…
Mankad again🙃
The winner of this match will play with India in semi's. pic.twitter.com/JffEXlztFg

— ɦɛʍǟռȶɦ🎌 (@IHemanth) January 31, 2020

.@ashwinravi99 💪 pic.twitter.com/9k1eEZwtcQ

— Mubin (@_Mubean__) January 31, 2020

Can’t blame the Afghan bowler one bit for the mankad as the rules are clear cut. Inch or a mile you can’t take advantage. As for spirit of cricket that’s another nonsense itself. Simple as that.#PAKvAFG

— Osman Mahmood (@osman_fz) January 31, 2020

Mankad is all fun and well within rule of law untill it happens to one of your team player

— Anas Khan (@AnasMagnificent) January 31, 2020

Always a shame to see a Mankad; I know it's within the rules but it doesn't mean it's correct.

Think ICC need to have a look at this rule.

— Tanzil Khawaja (@TanzilKhawaja) January 31, 2020

Certainly not a good sight, seeing young Cricketers opting for Mankad. https://t.co/K4uYqfLFfn

— Faizan Lakhani (@faizanlakhani) January 31, 2020

If you chose not to Mankad, you are actually putting your "values" ahead of the team's interests. That's pretty selfish and such players shouldn't be picked in a team.

— Flighted leggie 🏏 (@flighted_leggie) January 31, 2020

That's the 2nd Mankad that I've seen in an U19CWC..
First one was in 2016 WC.
And Ian Bishop was on air both times. 😏 #PAKvAFG #AFGvPAK #U19CWC pic.twitter.com/JxyVn4R4BP

— Abhijith S (@Abhi_mania) January 31, 2020

Not a pretty Scene in any type of cricket !!
especially on Junior level !! #Mankad #PAKvsAFG #U19CWC

— Muhammad Wasim (@MuhammadWasim77) January 31, 2020

no need to rock n roll that https://t.co/sFAeZxDprB

— Rick Eyre on cricket (@rickeyrecricket) January 31, 2020

Surely 16-year-old boys can have the sense to stay in their crease until the ball leaves the bowler’s hand? https://t.co/QzLk7jumvi

— Derek Alberts (@derekalberts1) January 31, 2020

Can already see which IPL team Noor Ahmad will be going to in future https://t.co/GPRClI5o7O

— absy (@absycric) January 31, 2020

Bishop: People will start questioning the spirit of cricket but it's in the law books and the responsibility of the batsman is to look when the ball is released from the hands of the bowler & then move from the crease. #U19CWC

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 31, 2020

For Mankad you cant be in your bowling action, the guy almost rolled his arm.

— Ahsan (@ahsanzawar) January 31, 2020

You cannot expect some sportsmanship when Afghans are playing against #Pakistan. Huraira mankad! #PAKvsAFG

— Shiraz Hassan (@ShirazHassan) January 31, 2020