Cricket World Cup: MCC explains Muneeba Ali run-out decision in Pakistan-India match

Cricket’s lawmakers have explained why the umpires eventually made the correct decision in deeming Muneeba Ali to have been run out in Pakistan’s defeat by India at the Women’s World Cup on Sunday.

Pakistan’s captain Fatima Sana protested after opener Muneeba was given out by the TV umpire, having lifted her bat from the crease as a throw hit the stumps.

The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) says although some have cited law 30.1.2 and said Muneeba should have been not out because she had grounded her bat moments earlier, that law is only relevant when a batter is “running or diving”.

“This law, which was introduced in 2010 and is sometimes referred to as the ‘bouncing bat law’, is to protect a batter who inadvertently loses contact with the ground as they move towards the stumps, either with their bat bouncing up or just with both their feet being airborne through the natural process of running,” the MCC added.

“It does not protect a batter who is turning for another run, overbalancing, or who – as in Muneeba’s case – simply lifts their bat into the air.

“The third umpire was entirely correct to give this out.”