Steve Smith Chooses Integrity, Revokes Appeal Over Josh Inglis' Disputable Run-Out Effort Against Noor Ahmad

Champions Trophy 2025, AFG vs AUS: Australia skipper Steve Smith showcased classy sportsmanship after he withdrew a run-out appeal in the Afghanistan vs Australia Group B clash at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium. Wicketkeeper Josh Inglis' presence of mind came in handy when he ran out Noor Ahmad as Afghanistan battled to elevate their score. However, Aussie skipper Steve Smith chose integrity over advantage, and he withdrew the run-out appeal, allowing the Afghanistan cricketer to stay on before he eventually lost his wicket.

Steve Smith Shows Class, Revokes Disputable Noor Ahmad Run-Out Attempt 

The moment happened at the end of the 47th over when Afghanistan was trying to rake up runs after suffering a batting collapse. In an effort to pick up runs, Azmatullah Omarzai and Noor Ahmad tried to go over the top. Ahmad, who was at the striker's end after running for a single off Omarzai's shot, left the crease early as he thought the over had ended and was changing strike. But Inglis' presence of mind came in clutch as he clinched the ball and took the bails off the stumps for a wicket after Noor moved ahead of the line.

Josh Inglis and Cricket Australia had a chance to make a loud appeal, and Noor Ahmad could have been deemed out had the umpires gone for the DRS. However, Skipper Steve Smith quickly jogged towards the umpire and turned the appeal down.

The controversial attempt could be linked to an infamous during the Ashes 2023 series when AUS stumper Alex Carey dismissed opener Jonny Bairstow in a similar fashion, which became a huge point of controversy in the entire series. The moment triggered a lot of English fans, with a couple of them confronting the Aussie stars as they made their way through the long room.

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Afghanistan Score Respectable Target Against Australia

While coming in to bat first, Afghanistan lost their opening batters early as Rahmanullah Gurbaz was dismissed for a duck while Ibrahim Zadran, who scored a record-breaking innings, was taken down at 22 runs. Sediqullah Atal held on with a crucial 85-run knock while half-centurion Azmatullah Omarzai scored a 63-ball 67.

Australia's bowling attack came in clutch as they took some crucial scalps and derailed the momentum the Afghans had after defeating England in a neck-to-neck thriller. The Steve Smith-led side limited Afghanistan to a chaseable score of 273.

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