Twitter Reactions: Mankading incident in U19 World Cup causes intense debate over the law

West Indies Under-19 entered the quarterfinal of the World Cup in tense circumstances after the ‘Mankading’ incident occurred in the last over the game. Today’s match between Zimbabwe U19 and West Indies U19 was of high importance for both the teams. It was a do-or-die situation as the losing team would have got knocked out of the tournament while the winner advanced to the quarterfinals.

And as it happened, both teams fought out evenly. West Indies batted first and posted a target of 227 runs to chase. Zimbabwe, in reply, started off well and were at the doorsteps of victory. West Indies kept clawing back into the game and the momentum swung from one team to another.

It was turning out to be a thriller. The game eventually boiled down to 3 runs off the last over with Zimbabwe had only one wicket in hand.

Keamo Paul, the right-arm seamer, ran in to bowl the last over. But, to everyone’s surprise, the bowler ‘mankaded’ Richard Ngarava. The bowler noticed him going out of the crease and before entering the delivery stride took the bails off.

The two on-field umpires discussed before confirming with West Indies skipper if they wanted to uphold the appeal. The decision went upstairs and the third umpire finally gave out leaving the Zimbabwean teens sad-faced.

The experts also expressed their views on the incident. “If this was a senior game, I don’t think I wouldn’t have gone upstairs. I wouldn’t want my team to win in that way. This isn’t what Under-19 cricket is about. I feel sorry for Zimbabwe,” said former England pacer Dominic Cork.

West Indies pacer Ian Bishop opinioned, “we’ve to leave the emotions aside,” says the former West Indies pacer. “It’s in the law books, so we’ve to not get carried away. History of Mankad is such, it causes stigma. Future cricket matches have to kill this.”

The Zimbabwean skipper refused to speak at the post match presentation ceremony. “No, I don’t want to speak anything about it” said the Zimbabwean skipper who was close to breaking down.

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.”

Although the dismissal was well within the rules of the game, this was a much unexpected highlight of the game.

https://twitter.com/piersmorgan/status/694479417414959104

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

— Stephen Fleming (@SPFleming7) February 2, 2016

Unbelievable , Not out #U19CWC https://t.co/caofiOStQm

— Darren Lehmann (@darren_lehmann) February 2, 2016

https://twitter.com/dhairyakumar/status/694468820031795200

Zimbabwe U19 captain flatly refuses to speak or comment at post match interview. I dont blame him one bit. #U19CWC

— Gautam Bhimani (@gbhimani) February 2, 2016

Oh dear .. Oh dear.. We have a Mankad !!! 2 to win .. Last wicket !!!

— Russel Arnold (@RusselArnold69) February 2, 2016

Zimbabwe U19 robbed of a quarter final place @ICC

2 LBW's

And that stupid law of yours

— Wiseman WekwaMutare (@tatenda_abel) February 2, 2016

Tragic end to the game b/w West Indies & Zimbabwe U19 teams, WInd won outside the spirit of the game. A game that saws ebbs & flows #wcu19

— Gowhar Geelani (@gowhargeelani) February 2, 2016

Can't believe what I've just seen! Embarrassing! #CWCU19

— Jos Buttler (@josbuttler) February 2, 2016

Disgraceful behaviour in the U19CWC. WI's should be embarrassed!!

— Eoin Morgan (@Eoin16) February 2, 2016

If you ever doubt that Zimbabwe is cursed after the U19 lose to WI, I don't know what evidence you need.

— DREAMCHASER (@butler_263) February 2, 2016

Feel bad for #Zimbabwe captain & his U19 team. #WestIndies U19 team should be ashamed of their win. Even the presenter questioned their win!

— पारिजात (@Parijat_Tweets) February 2, 2016

@Eoin16 everything wi do is embarrassing to ppl like u I wonder if it was the other way around would you have something to say .

— Tino95 (@tinobest) February 2, 2016

West Indies U19 qualify for World Cup quarters after the last Zimbabwe batsman was Mankaded. Details: https://t.co/IIvRCWxNKg

— Lovely K (@lovelyyy300) February 2, 2016

What a way for Zimbabwe U19's to be eliminated from the tournament! #U19CWC pic.twitter.com/ILFGpkEEfv

— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) February 2, 2016

If my sons school side did what Windies U19 just did to beat Zimbabwe they would hauled b4 Head #BadSportsman#TerribleRoleModels #ICCU19CWC

— Paul Howes (@Pommiebok) February 2, 2016

Well done West Indies u19 death bowler. Very, very awake.

Zimbabwe batsman was fast asleep, that's the price you pay for stupidity. We lose

— Joe Ruzvidzo ?? (@joeblackzw) February 2, 2016

https://twitter.com/MacNab63/status/694461787568218112

https://twitter.com/Sumie_05/status/694468679812157440

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

— Muhammed Ali Mustafa (@smalimustafa) February 2, 2016