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Tom Curran called back to bat after given 'run out' by 3rd umpire as RCB coach shows dissent; Nicholas Pooran's MI loses after spirit of game display

ILT20 2025: In the slog overs of Gulf Giants' run chase, the game was halted for a few minutes after Tom Curran left the crease early and was run out by Nicholas Pooran.

Arun Rawal

• Sun • 26 Jan 2025

Tom Curran, Nicholas Pooran, Andy Flower

Nicholas Pooran having a chat with Tom Curran, Mark Adair and umpire; Andy Flower showing dissent on the boundary.

Highlights:

Tom Curran was run out for leaving the crease too early after completing a single.

Nicholas Pooran called back Curran after Gulf Giants coach Andy Flower was unhappy.

In the post-match presentation, Pooran said that as per the rule book he was out.

MI Emirates captain Nicholas Pooran set an example by showing spirit of the game as he withdrew his appeal for 'run out' against Gulf Giants' Tom Curran after their coach Andy Flower was visibly unhappy at the boundary. Pooran called back Curran to bat but ended up losing the last-ball thriller at Sheikh Zayed Stadium on January 25.

The incident took place on the last ball of the 18th over. Mark Adair played a shot towards long-off. An easy single. Kieron Pollard threw the ball towards wicketkeeper Pooran. Curran made his ground and then started to move towards the other end without looking at Pooran. The wicketkeeper took off the bails and appealed. After a brief discussion with the on-field umpires, it was referred to the third umpire.

The third umpire had a long look at the dismissal and ultimately gave Curran out. As the English all-rounder walked back to the Gulf Giants dugout, their head coach Andy Flower was unhappy. However, soon enough Pooran withdrew his appeal as he realised he was the one who didn't hear umpire's call for the over. The Gulf Giants dugout lauded the decision as Curran walked back to the non-striker's end.

Drama in last two overs

In the last two overs, Gulf Giants needed 17 runs. Adair was dismissed by Fazalhaq Farooqi on the first ball of the penultimate over. Six runs came off the penultimate over. In the last over, Dan Mousley erred and bowled a no-ball. Aayan Khan smashed the no-ball for a six. Three runs were scored off the next four balls. Curran had the chance to finish off the run chase but was knocked over by Mousley. He departed after scoring 16 runs from 13 balls. The game did not go to the super over as Muhammad Zuhaib managed to take a single off the last ball. Gulf Giants won the match by two wickets.

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Pooran clarifies why he appealed

"We weren't disciplined, paid a price as a team. It was about Spirit of the Game. By the laws out yes. The batter seemed to have heard the call for the over but I certainly didn't, which is why I appealed," Pooran said in the post-match presentation.

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MI Emirates hold their spot on points table

Earlier, Tom Banton's half-century and contributions from Pollard and Akeal Hosein took MI Emirates to 151/6. This is MI Emirates' fourth loss from seven games. They are still placed seconds on the points table. On the other hand, Gulf Giants moved to the fifth spot with their second win from six games.