Confusion reigned late on 16 November during Pakistan A’s comfortable chase against India A in the Asia Cup Rising Stars, when a relay effort between Nehal Wadhera and Naman Dhir was chalked off by the TV umpire. The decision, eventually ruled “not out”, hinged on the updated boundary-catch law that came into force this June.
Here’s what happened. Pakistan A opener Maaz Sadaqat, already well set on 56, swung Suyash Sharma towards cow corner at the beginning of the tenth over. Wadhera sprinted round from deep mid-wicket, caught the ball inside the rope, and, still airborne, lobbed it to Dhir, who was closing in from long-on. Dhir completed the catch a good couple of metres inside the field while Wadhera’s momentum took him over the advertising boards.
After several replays the third-umpire signalled not out, treating the play as illegal because Wadhera’s foot was above – though not grounded beyond – the boundary line when he released the ball.
The law says otherwise. MCC Law 19.5.2 is explicit: “A fielder who is airborne and has not touched the ground beyond the boundary is considered to be inside the field of play.” Having released the ball before landing outside, Wadhera’s involvement was legal; Dhir’s catch, taken fully in play, should have stood.
One former ICC umpire, asked for a quick verdict, said, “It’s a straightforward dismissal under the current playing conditions. The moment Wadhera let go inside, his later landing doesn’t matter.” A second international official gave the same interpretation, adding, “If anything, the third-umpire should have awarded six once it was clear Wadhera had touched down beyond the rope with the ball still in hand, but he hadn’t – so it’s out.”
The incorrect call left India A without a wicket – and, oddly, without conceding a six either. Instead the delivery was logged as a dot ball. Sadaqat made the most of the reprieve, finishing unbeaten on 79 as Pakistan A breezed to 137 with 6.4 overs to spare.
Wadhera and Dhir, understandably bemused, could only shrug. “We did everything by the book,” one team-mate was overheard telling the pair in the dug-out.
For fans still scratching their heads, remember the simple takeaway: if the fielder releases the ball while airborne inside the rope, the catch can be completed by a teammate anywhere in the field. Where the first fielder lands is irrelevant – a nuance seemingly missed on the night.
