A controversial moment took place between the India A vs Pakistan A clash during the Men’s Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025 clash at the West End Park International Cricket Stadium in Doha. The incident took place regarding a relay catch between Nahal Wadhera and Naman Dhir that was ultimately ruled as ‘not out’ by the third umpire. 

India A had set the modest target of 137 runs after experiencing a significant batting collapse, while the opponent opening batters, especially Maaz Sadaqat, were in special touch as he smashed a dominating knock of a 31-ball fifty. As the turning point occurred on the first ball of the 10th over, when Suyash Sharma induced a lofted shot from Maaz towards the deep region.

See Also: Watch: Naman Dhir takes brilliant catch to dismiss Mohammad Naim in IND A vs PAK A Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025

Wadhera chased the shot towards the boundary line while being airborne outside the rope. He managed to flick the delivery back into play as Naman Dhir completed what appeared to be a valid catch inside the field. However, the umpires didn’t give the dismissal as Sadaqat continued batting.

Watch: India A denied wicket of Maaz Sadaqat during IND-A vs PAK-A Rising Stars 2025

Once the screen displayed ‘not out’, it stunned the Indian players. Captain Jitesh Sharma immediately clarified the decision with the officials. The decision was based on the significant change of boundary fielding announced by the MCC in June 2025.

 

 

 

 

 

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Law 19.5.2 addressed the confusion around the airborne relay attempts and the multiple touches outside the field of play. The previous rules and regulations would have given it out, but the current ones require all the fielders who touch the ball to meet the specific grounding requirements. A fielder can touch the ball once while airborne outside the boundary.

The controversy deepened when neither a six nor a single run was awarded to the Pakistan Shaheens on the delivery as the batters didn’t cross the crease. Pakistan completed a comfortable chase in the second innings and has qualified for the semi-final of the tournament.

Pakistan Shaheens’ openers Yasir Khan and Khawaja Nafay were involved in a heated on-field exchange after a disastrous mix-up led to a chaotic run-out during their Top End T20 series clash against Bangladesh A. The tournament, serving as a curtain-raiser, features a mix of Australian state academy teams, Big Bash League sides, and international outfits, including Pakistan A, Bangladesh A, and Nepal. The incident occurred in the 12th over, shortly after the duo had given the Shaheens a flying start with a commanding 118-run opening stand, only for it to end in controversy.

The run-out unfolded when Yasir, on strike, attempted to flick the first ball of the over towards the leg side but mistimed it, with the ball striking his pads. At the non-striker’s end, Nafay immediately charged for a quick single, but with the wicketkeeper standing close to the stumps, Yasir refused the run. By the time Nafay realised, he was already near the striker’s crease. The Bangladesh keeper swiftly relayed the ball to the bowler, who removed the bails to complete the dismissal.

See Also: [WATCH] Hardik Pandya returns to Mumbai after completing fitness tests before Asia Cup 2025

The dismissal triggered visible frustration, with Nafay throwing his bat onto the ground in anger. Both batters were seen exchanging heated words, clearly upset over the miscommunication that ended a promising partnership. The moment not only halted the Shaheens’ momentum but also highlighted the tension and pressure of the contest. Despite the clash, the team still had a solid platform to build on, though the emotional fallout from the incident was evident for the remainder of the innings.

WATCH the video here;

Maybe the two Pakistani openers will talk through their mix up nice and calmly...

Or maybe Yasir and Nafay have a different way of communicating 🫣#TopEndT20 | Live on 7plus pic.twitter.com/40kLUR2PBA

— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) August 14, 2025

Pakistan Shaheens cruise to convincing victory in T20 series opener

Despite the heated run-out incident, Pakistan Shaheens maintained their dominance, posting a mammoth 227/4 in their 20 overs. Yasir Khan (61) and Khawaja Nafay (62) laid the foundation with brilliant half-centuries, while Abdul Samad’s quick-fire 56 kept the momentum going. The aggressive batting display ensured the early mix-up didn’t impact the scoreboard, leaving Bangladesh A with a daunting target to chase in the second innings.

In reply, Bangladesh A crumbled to 148 all out, handing the Shaheens a commanding 79-run victory. Early trouble struck as Mohammad Naim fell for 5, but a resilient 86-run stand between Jishan Alam (33) and Saif Hassan (57) offered brief hope. However, a middle-order collapse followed, with only Nurul Hasan (22) showing some fight. Pakistan’s bowlers dominated the innings, with Saad Masood and Faisal Akram each claiming three wickets to seal the emphatic win.