An unusual moment unfolded during the final Super Four match of the Asia Cup, leaving players, spectators, and commentators baffled. In the Super Over against India, Sri Lanka all-rounder Dasun Shanaka was spared a run out, even though he was clearly outside the crease.
The incident occurred on the fourth ball of the Super Over. India’s left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh delivered a yorker outside Shanaka’s off stump. Shanaka missed the delivery, which went straight to wicketkeeper Sanju Samson. Arshdeep immediately appealed for a catch, and Bangladeshi umpire Gazi Sohel initially gave Shanaka out.
The confusion escalated when Shanaka, with the ball in Samson’s hands, attempted a run. Samson threw and broke the stumps while Shanaka was well outside the crease. Many assumed the batter would be run out, ending Sri Lanka’s innings.
However, ICC rules worked in Shanaka’s favour. According to Law 20.1.1.3, once an umpire declares a batter out, the delivery is considered “dead.” Any events occurring after this declaration do not count. Following Sohel’s initial caught decision, Shanaka opted for a review, which confirmed that the ball had not touched the bat, overturning the catch-out decision. Because the delivery was already dead, the subsequent run-out could not be applied.
Ultimately, Sri Lanka lost two wickets for just two runs in the Super Over, while India comfortably chased the three-run target on the very first ball.
