World No. 1 T20I bowler and South Africa spinner, Tabraiz Shamsi has thrown his weight behind Ravichandran Ashwin who is leading the debate over running batsmen out at the non-striker’s end for unfairly backing up. Labelled as Mankading, the practice of bowlers affecting run-outs at non-striker’s end has left the cricket world divided with quite a few saying that the mode of dismissal is not within the spirit of the game.
R Ashwin found backers but he was also criticised by former cricketers when he ran out Jos Buttler at the non-striker’s end after the England wicketkeeper-batsman was found backing up outside the crease. Ashwin defended his stance, saying he was well within his rights to run the non-striker out.
As recently as last week, Ashwin was once again making his point clearly when during an interaction with former India batsman Sanjay Manjrekar. Ashwin argued that a free ball should be given to the bowling team if the batsman is founding taking undue advantage at the non–striker’s end.
However, while responding to a fan, he said that bowlers are skeptical about running out the non-striker due to the “mental trauma” the bowlers may go through despite the mode of dismissal being in the International Cricket Council rule book.
Shami responded to the post, saying: “I think all bowlers should do it without any fear.. It is within the rules of the game.
“Why must the bowlers get abused about “spirit of cricket” when it’s actually the batsmen that are stealing yards and THAT is against the spirit of cricket? That’s the real truth,” the left-arm wrist-spinner said.
