Neither No Ball Nor Sixer, Then How Did India U-19 Cede 9 Runs To Afghanistan Off One Ball

An unusual moment unfolded during the Under-19 World Cup semifinal between India and Afghanistan on Wednesday, when nine runs were added off a single delivery, an occurrence rarely seen on a cricket field.

The incident took place during Afghanistan’s innings after captain Mahboob Khan won the toss at the Harare Sports Club and elected to bat. Afghanistan’s openers provided a steady start before the match witnessed a bizarre sequence in the 17th over, bowled by Dipesh Devendran.

Devendran had conceded just one run from the first five balls of the over. However, the final delivery changed the complexion dramatically. Batsman Faisal Shinozada attempted a leg-side shot but missed the ball. It passed through to wicketkeeper Abhigyan Kundu, who failed

to gather it cleanly. The ball then struck a helmet placed on the ground by the fielding side and rolled towards the boundary.

As a result, Afghanistan were awarded five penalty runs along with four runs for the boundary, taking the total to nine runs from that single ball. The decision was in line with MCC Law 28.3.2, which states that if the ball makes contact with a helmet placed on the ground by the fielding team, the batting side is awarded five penalty runs. The law further clarifies that any runs completed before the ball hits the helmet are also counted. In this instance, no boundary byes were recorded as the ball was deemed dead immediately after hitting the helmet.

The match was part of the ICC Under-19 World Cup, and the rare incident quickly became a talking point among players and spectators alike.

India took the field with Ayush Mhatre leading the side, alongside Aaron George, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Vihaan Malhotra, wicketkeeper Abhigyan Kundu, Vedant Trivedi, RS Ambrish, Kanishk Chauhan, Khilan Patel, Henil Patel and Dipesh Devendran.

Afghanistan’s playing XI featured captain Mahboob Khan, Usman Sadat, Khalid Ahmadzai, Faisal Shinozada, Uzairullah Niyazi, Azizullah Miyakhil, Khateer Stanikzai, Abdul Aziz, Ruhullah Arab, Nuristani Umarzai and Waheedullah Jadaran.