ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Steve Smith withdraws run-out appeal despite Afghanistan’s Noor Ahmad leaving crease early

ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Steve Smith withdraws run-out appeal despite Afghanistan’s Noor Ahmad leaving crease early

Australian captain Steve Smith withdrew a run-out appeal against Afghanistan’s Noor Ahmad despite the batter leaving the crease early during a Champions Trophy 2025 match in Lahore on Friday.

The incident happened off the last ball of the 47th over when Noor drifted outside the crease thinking the over was complete.

Wicketkeeper Josh Inglis removed the bails and appealed for a run out. However, Smith asked the umpire not to consider the appeal.

Australia was involved in a similar incident during the 2023 Ashes when Alex Carey ran Jonny Bairstow out in the Lord’s Test. The Englishman had walked out of his crease thinking the over was complete.

Captain Pat Cummins and the rest of the team members appealed for a run out. Following a discussion between the on-field umpires, the decision went upstairs and Bairstow was eventually adjudged out.

The dismissal had stirred a massive controversy and was a talking point throughout the five-match Test series that ended at 2-2.

Published on Feb 28, 2025