Second Test: Pakistan’s Azhar Ali run out while chatting to teammate in middle of the pitch
AZHAR Ali’s first thought after falling victim to cricket’s most embarrassing run-out was not what his teammates would say - but rather the criticism he would face at home.
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AZHAR Ali’s first thought after falling victim to cricket’s most embarrassing run-out was what his sons might say the next time he tells them to clean their room.
The Pakistan star was looking for somewhere to hide when he had his pants pulled down chatting to his batting partner in the middle of the pitch, completely oblivious to the fact his shot through third man had pulled up a foot short of the boundary and been thrown back to the stumps.
But to Ali’s credit he fronted up to the post-match press conference with a beaming smile, a shy shrug of the shoulders and took full responsibility.
Ali knows the incredible brain explosion will follow him for the rest of his career, but the proud father of three is most concerned about the ammunition he might have given his three cricket-mad sons Ibtisam, Azan and Azlan.
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Baby Azlan won’t be able to sledge for a few years yet, and there was one small mercy in that eldest son Ibtisam, an 11-year-old batting talent who goes to boarding school in England, arrived at the ground after dad had trudged from the field with his tail between his legs and a century blown.
But somehow Ali doesn’t think that will save him.
“They’re going to speak about it for years,” said Ali, shaking his head.
“Whenever I say something to them they’re going to come back to me about this run-out.
“Obviously I know I will be asked this question for a long time now, especially when I go back home.
“My sons will ask it in a more funny way.”
Mickey Arthur's reaction to the Azhar Ali run out #PAKvAUS pic.twitter.com/nGkCp6rRiY
— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) October 18, 2018
I’m just waiting for the condemnation of Australia....again....for enforcing the run out in Abu Dhabi! You know, like NZ received for the Murali runout in 06. #dumbcricket or #badsportsmanship #dumb
— Scott Styris (@scottbstyris) October 18, 2018
Marnus labuschagne must be feeling much better after Azhar Ali’s Run Out #Unbelievable #AUSvsPAK
— Muhammad Wasim (@MuhammadWasim77) October 18, 2018
Pakistan coaches Mickey Arthur and Grant Flower reacted in animated disbelief and anguish, with the side still needing runs to put Australia out of the match.
Ali admits no one in the dressing room braved talking to him for half an hour after the incident.
There was some mild debate on social media about whether it was in the spirit of the game for Australia to claim the run-out when there was no intention from the batsmen to run.
But Ali put that theory to bed, adamant there was nothing he could do or say but simply take his medicine for the most basic of schoolboy errors.
“I don’t think it’s bad sportsmanship. I’ll take all responsibility on myself that I’ve been a little bit ignorant,” said Ali.
“No one came in my way, no one distracted me or anything. It’s my own fault.
“There is no explanation about it. You shouldn’t be not watching the ball for long.
“It was one of those things where neither Asad (batting partner Asad Shafiq) or I had a sight of it that it’s going to stop or someone’s running behind it.
“Even when the throw was coming back I thought he’s just thrown it after the ball hit the skirting.
“When Tim Paine started to run towards the stumps, then I thought a little bit something funny about it. Then it was a shock.”
Even the bowler Peter Siddle says he had absolutely no idea a run-out was on – angry a tough chance might have been put down by Mitchell Marsh in the infield.
Mitchell Starc’s run to the rope and return throw was as if he was consigned to a two or three being run. It was Paine who was all over it.
If any other Aussies knew what was up they stayed quiet as church mice so Paine could whip the bails off with no last-second panic from Ali.
“Well I didn’t (know), I was still disappointed Mitch Marsh had misfielded. I was still angry! I had my hands on my head and I was still disappointed,” said Siddle.
“I think Starcy just went to chase the ball as you do and then (he) realised halfway to the boundary, it’s not going to go here. So he chased it a bit harder.
“Azhar hadn’t even looked and had run down the wicket. As a young kid, my coach always told me you’ve got to run hard until it goes over that rope.”
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