Explained: Why Cooper Connolly should have been 'not-out' after stumping in PAK vs AUS 3rd T20I
Why Cooper Connolly’s stumping in the PAK vs AUS 3rd T20I should have been overturned, with ICC rules explaining the controversial decision.
The ICC rules which exist today show that Cooper Connolly should not have received an out decision during the third T20I match against Pakistan because the umpire ruled him out through stumping. The run chase by Australia faced its first major obstacle at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium when Australia lost the match to Pakistan.
Slow-motion footage exposes flaw in Connolly’s stumping decision
Australia started their run after they needed to achieve 208 runs, but they suffered a major collapse when Connolly entered at 82 for 6. The left-hander faced his second ball when he attempted to hit a shot against Mohammad Nawaz, but he completely missed the ball which turned away to the leg side. Pakistan wicketkeeper Khawaja Nafay appeared to complete a straightforward stumping, with Connolly well out of his crease. The on-field umpire reduced Australia to 82 for 7 when he raised his finger to signal the out decision.
The match proceeded, but slow-motion replays showed an important detail which had escaped notice during the game. Nafay dislodged the bails with his left hand while he secured the ball inside his right glove. The act which he performed according to ICC regulations makes the dismissal invalid.
Watch the video:
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What do the ICC laws say?
According to ICC men's T20 playing conditions Clause 29.2.1 a fielder must break the stumps while holding the ball with the same hand that he used to remove the bails or uproot the stumps in order to achieve a "broken wicket" status. The batter in Connolly's case should have been ruled out according to the rule because the error was not identified.
Australia did not submit a formal complaint because the game officials did not assess the situation. Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha later stressed that judging bowling or keeping actions falls solely under the purview of umpires and match officials.
Australia lost the match against England by 111 runs after their batting order collapsed to 96 runs which became their most significant defeat in T20I history. The match result itself showed clear dominance but the Connolly stumping decision created ongoing disputes which harmed Pakistan's complete 3-0 series victory.
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