Time and again, the rules that govern the sport of cricket have been a center of attraction due to its loopholes. Yet again, the eyeballs were drawn during Josh Inglis’ clever way of running out Noor Ahmad before Steve Smith withdrew the appeal and upheld Spirit of Cricket on Friday.
Winning the toss and electing to bat first, Sediqullah Atal’s 85 neutralized the early jitters they suffered, laying the foundation for a fighting total against Australia. While the Kangaroos pulled the ball in their court as the game progressed, Azmatullah Omarzai barred their plans with a standout knock under the presence of the lower order. As the game went deep, Australia were looking to close down the innings early, and a desperate move from Inglis sparked worldwide debate.
On the last ball of the 47th over, Omarzai pushed a back of a length ball at the stumps towards long on and retained the strike with a single. As his partner, Noor Ahmad, left the crease to chat with his partner after completing the run, Inglis executed a cunning act from Alex Carey’s book of wicketkeeping. The gloveman whipped off the bails as soon as Noor left the crease and appealed for a runout. As per the laws, it should be out, but captain Smith withdrew the appeal, upholding ‘Spirit of Cricket’ and creating a buzz in the Twitterverse.
— ashik (@ashik1587212) February 28, 2025
SPIRIT OF CRICKET!
— ashik (@ashik1587212) February 28, 2025
Steve Smith showing sportsman spirit wasn’t on my 2025 Bingo card. pic.twitter.com/fsLmkumNPA
— Utsav 💙 (@utsav__45) February 28, 2025
lt’s see!
Smith the Captain!
Great Sportsmanship from captain Steve Smith.
Noor was clearly out. pic.twitter.com/E1uG9ajJt6— Dinesh Verma (@DineshVerm1047) February 28, 2025
Great Sportsmanship from captain Steve Smith He takes bak the run out appeal 👏🏻
Noor was clearly out#ViratKohli𓃵 #ICCChampionsTrophy2025 #RohitSharma𓃵 #BabarAzam𓃵 #CT25 #PakistanCricket #ShubmanGill #PAKvBAN #PAKvsBAN #BANvPAK #BANvsPAK #AFGvsAUS #AFGvAUS #AUSvsAFG #AUSvAFG— SOHAIB (@S0HAIB_7) February 28, 2025
Sportsman Spirit!
Captain Smith!
Fair play to Steve Smith for not going upstairs there, that was out, Noor left the crease too early.
— Bhekinkosi👑 (@BlaccSlimshady) February 28, 2025
Now wasn’t that interesting. Steve Smith withdrawing an appeal for a stumping after an Afghan batter walked out of his crease at the end of the over. Right decision.
— The Secret Pear (@Glossywicket) February 28, 2025
Great Player!
Steve Smith showing Sportsman’s Spirit before GTA 6
Woww 👏— Jenil Modi (@Jenil1903) February 28, 2025
Respect to Steve Smith
SPORTSMAN SPIRIT FROM STEVE SMITH 💛
A brilliant gesture! #ChampionsTrophy— K H I Z A R ͏͏ (@khizarx56) February 28, 2025
