Sri Lanka were frustrated by the umpire’s decision not to signal no-ball in the final over of their narrow T20I defeat to Afghanistan, despite a full toss passing by batter Kamindu Mendis’ shoulder.
Mendis tried to review it but was not allowed. The rule introduced in the Indian Premier League that allows upward reference to non-wicket decisions is yet to be introduced in international cricket.
The moment came at a crucial juncture in the match when Sri Lanka threatened to chase 210 runs in the final T20I of the series. Mendis had played his first T20I half two overs earlier and was striking for the final over, needing 19 for victory. A misfield at fine leg cost him four runs off the first ball, and Mendis survived an LBW review on the second ball and hit a boundary on the third ball.
When Wafadar Mohmand needed 11 points from three balls, he allowed a high full shot over Mendis’ shoulder. Even though he was coming down the track and crouching slightly, it looked like if Mendis had gotten into the crease, he would have gone well above his waist level.
However, the referee in the square remained unmoved, much to Mendis’ disappointment. He tried to check, but he was of no use.
The equation went from 2 to 11, and the wide weakened the equation a bit, but the dot ball sealed the win, even though the last ball was a six.
Afghanistan had achieved a score of 209:5 so far, mainly thanks to their opening two matches. Hazratullah Zazai and Rahmanullah Gurbaz each hit 45 out of 22 and Rahmanullah Gurbaz hit 70 out of 43, while Pathum Nissanka hit 60 out of 30, hitting six. He collapsed due to injury and pain and retired. Mendis (65* off 39) was his only other scorer with over 25 points.
Despite losing the final match, Sri Lanka also won the one-off Test and the ODI leg of the tour, winning the series 2-1.
Watch the full toss to Kamindu Mendis below:
No-ball or legal delivery? #SLvAFG pic.twitter.com/P5iPSfiEjx
– Estelle Vasudevan (@Estelle_Vasude1) 21. February 2024
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