Running out non-striker for backing up too far is legal and the rule is here to stay. But, in the last month the debate has got heated with current and former players sharing their verdict. After Deepti Sharma ran out Charlie Dean at Lord’s to finish off a crunch game, Mitchell Starc gave Jos Buttler a warning "I'm not Deepti, but I won't do it. That doesn't mean you can leave early." Now, former Australian cricketer Brad Hogg has pointed out that Mohammad Wasim Jr was breaking the rules in final over of the run chase against Zimbabwe on October 27.
On the final delivery, Pakistan needed three runs to win and two runs to take the game into super over. As Brad Evans was about to complete his run-up, Wasim Jr was seen leaving the crease to gain an advantage.
Shaheen Afridi hit the ball down the ground and long-on fielder Sikandar Raza rushed to save the second run. Had Raza thrown the ball at the non-striker’s end Wasim Jr would have completed the run. But he threw it to Shaheen Afridi’s end, who was found well-short of the crease and ended up getting run out.
Hogg shared screenshots of Wasim Jr leaving the crease before Evans had released the ball. The left-arm chinaman took to Twitter to give his verdict, “Why severe penalty needs to be brought in for leaving the crease before the ball is delivered! Last ball of the game last night!”
Recently, Buttler and Australian skipper Finch frowned over the idea of running out a batter at the non-striker’s end if he is seen leaving the crease before the ball is released.
There were also photos shared of Indian players Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya watching the bowler’s hand closely and staying in the crease before the ball is delivered.
Earlier, Hogg also questioned the umpiring standards in India vs Pakistan game asking the no ball by Mohammad Nawaz to be reviewed.
