Emerging Teams Asia Cup: Obstructing the Field! Sri Lanka A Batter Controversially Dismissed Against Pakistan Shaheens

Add as a preferred source on Google

SL-A vs PAK-A: Sri Lankan batter Yashodha Lanka was controversially dismissed for 'obstructing the field’ in the 1st semi-final match of the Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2024 on Friday, October 25.

Chasing a target of 136 set by the Pakistan A team, Sri Lanka A got off to a good start, standing at 15/0 at the end of the second over. In the second delivery of the third over, Lahiru Udara hit a shot and took two quick runs, but then attempted a risky third run.

Yashodha Lanka, who was running towards the striker’s end, came in between the fielder’s throw and the wicketkeeper, which led to animated appeals from the Pakistan Shaheen players.

While the commentators were of the opinion that Lanka was not close to the stumps and in fact took evasive measures to avoid to ball, the third umpire had differing views. After watching multiple replays, the signal of 'OUT’ was given on the third umpire’s screen, ending Yashodha Lanka’s innings at 11 runs in 10 balls.

This incident marked one of the rarest forms of dismissal in cricket, and if it does result in a loss for Sri Lanka A, will certainly cause great controversy after the match. Interestingly, this is not the first time that a Sri Lankan player has been dismissed for obstructing the field in a semi-final match of the Emerging Teams Asia Cup tournament.

In the second semi-final match in the 2018 edition between Bangladesh Emerging Team and Sri Lanka Emerging Team, Shehan Jayasuriya was dismissed at 39 runs for obstructing the field, even though the Lankans went on the win the match. Nuwanidu Fernando and Co. will hope for a similar result in the crucial match at the Al Amerat stadium in Oman, hoping to reach their first final in six years.