T20 cricket: Yasim Murtaza blitz helps deliver trophy for Hong Kong – after controversial catch
- Late flurry of sixes pushes home side to their highest total of the APC Group T20I series and they go on to beat Malaysia in the final
- But Malaysia are left furious over a catch taken after the Hong Kong fielder had stepped over the boundary rope
A blistering innings by Yasim Murtaza propelled Hong Kong to a home victory in the final of the APC Group T20I series on Sunday – but their triumph was not without controversy.
His 45 off 17 balls carried his side to a 182 total, their highest of the competition, before Aizaz Khan’s four wickets helped skittle Malaysia out for 143 at Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground in Mong Kok.
Malaysia’s run chase contained a flashpoint, however. They began with a flurry of boundaries, reaching 32 for no loss after two overs. Then, looking to continue the assault, Virandeep Singh miscued a lofted drive down the ground towards Babar Hayat at long-on.
Hayat held the catch but could not halt his momentum, stepping beyond the boundary rope before throwing the ball back into the field of play for a second grab that he claimed as a clean catch.
Unsighted and without the luxury of a television replay, umpires Tabarak Dar and John Prakash had no option but to follow the established protocol, trust Hayat’s belief that he made a fair catch and send Virandeep back to the pavilion.
While it was difficult to tell whether Hayat could have been aware of his foot crossing the rope with the ball still in his palm, the controversial dismissal unsettled a furious Malaysian dugout.
