West Indies vs Afghanistan: Shai Hope makes a controversial run out

The West Indies and Afghanistan are currently playing a bilateral series in Lucknow. As they played the first ODI of the series on November 6, a moment in the game had fans and experts divided over the spirit of the game. Let us take a look at what happened in the game which the West Indies ended up winning.

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Ikram Alikhil gets controversially run out

As Afghanistan batted first, they had lost both their openers quickly leading to the scoreboard showing a paltry 2-15. For the third wicket, Rahmat Shah and wicketkeeper Ikram Alikhil stitched together a 111-run partnership to stabilise the team. On the third ball of the 27th over, Rahmat Shah picked up a single to get to his fifty and an excited but ignorant Alikhil completed the run and immediately proceeded to congratulate his contemporary at the other end. What he did not realise was that the ball was still in play and while he left the crease, West Indies keeper Shai Hope received a throw from Evin Lewis and dislodged the bails on the striker's end. 

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As the appeal was taken to the third umpire, Alikhil was adjudged out. The surprised batsman walked off the pitch as he gestured that he did not know that the ball was not out of play. After that, the Afghanis went from 125-2 to 194-10 and did not really cause any worry to the Windies. Led by Roston Chase's 94 and Shai Hope's 77, West Indies chased down the total in a mere 46.3 overs.

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Was the run-out in the spirit of cricket?

After Alikhil's controversial run-out and the effect it potentially had on the Afghanistan innings, Twitter was filled with fans who made sense of both sides. Some sided with Hope for his presence of mind while some condemned the actions, categorising them against the spirit of cricket.

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