'Cheating karke bhi nahi jeet paaye' - Pakistan under fire for taking unfair advantage during run-chase against Zimbabwe

It’s not been a too long time since the cricketing fraternity was divided in multiple opinions following the move of Indian all-rounder Deepti Sharma to run England’s Charlie Dean out at the non-striker’s end as the latter had already left the crease before the time Deepti could complete her action.

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As per the rules of MCC, the non-striker is ought to be in the crease till the bowler completes the action. If the former does so, then it will be the sole right of the bowler to claim a run-out by tickling off the bails. Even after the existence of this rule in the cricket laws, there was a section of cricket experts and former cricketers that lashed out at Deepti for her move, and the term ‘spirit of the game’ happened to be the new catchphrase in the cricketing fraternity. This list of experts was joined by a few former Pakistan cricketers and experts of the game as well.

Recently, a similar incident happened during the super-12 match of the ongoing 20-20 World Cup 2022 between Pakistan and Zimbabwe. Pakistan needed three runs off the last having lower-order batters Shaheen Afridi and Mohammad Wasim there in the middle.

Wasim was there at the non-striker’s end. Zimbabwean player Brad Evans was yet to finish his bowling action. Pakistan non-striker Wasim left the crease and tried to an unfair advantage by covering the ground within a quick fraction of time. Although these efforts couldn’t get out the win for Pakistan the match and they lost this nail-biting thriller by a margin of one run.

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This attitude from the Pakistani player didn’t go down well with the Indian fans who were defending Deepti Sharma for her legitimate move against England. They took to Twitter for teaching ‘spirit of game’ lessons to Pakistan.

Here’s how fans reacted to Mohammad Wasim’s attempt:

Cheating karke bhi nahi jeet paaye

— Tanya⁷ (@hoe4hobee) October 27, 2022

why has this not exploded ?? This is the thing that literally is against the spirit of the game. Taking unfair advantage knowing that even few inches can matter in the run out. How shameful !!

— OPTIMUS (@optimus_5674) October 27, 2022

These Pakistani cricketers are the biggest cheaters in the world, that's why they have to beg others to visit Pakistan right now.
On other side, VK was inside the crease even when IND needed 2 in one ball in such huge pressure game. That's called sportsmanship, learn from it.

— Advocate Drishti Thakkar (@Populardrishti) October 27, 2022

This is a clear case of taking unfair advantage.
Most times batters don't have that intention. They are out of their crease by just 2-3 inches. That's just giving yourself a bit of momentum to start running but this right here is wrong.

— Derek AB (@DerekAB2) October 27, 2022

If Afraid had been successful in completing the second run, would the so called 'spirit-of-the-game-lovers' be happy about it? That's why Mankading is legal and very well within the spirit of the game..

— Faiyaz Ansari (@Phoenix271194) October 27, 2022

That’s pure against the spirit of the game.

— Sanj Kumar 🇮🇳 (@IamSanjKumar) October 27, 2022