In the final Super Four clash of the Asia Cup 2025, Team India posted a challenging total of 202, setting Sri Lanka a target of 203 runs. Sri Lanka explosively began their chase, with Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Perera putting pressure on the Indian bowlers early on. However, a bizarre incident during Sri Lanka’s innings left fans stunned and sparked debate worldwide.
Despite Pathum Nissanka sending the ball sailing over the boundary for what seemed like a clear six, Sri Lanka were denied the runs due to a rare application of the dead-ball rule. The drama unfolded in the sixth over when Varun Chakravarthy was in his run-up. Just before he delivered the third ball of the over, umpire Izatullah Safi signalled a dead ball.
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Unaware, Chakravarthy went ahead and bowled. Nissanka seized the short delivery, launching it high and deep. Axar Patel at long-on misjudged the catch as the ball slipped through his hands and cleared the boundary. It should have been six runs, but the umpire ruled otherwise.
Chaos on the field! 😳
Varun delivers after the ump signals dead ball, Nissanka smashes it — and Axar palms a simple catch for SIX! 🫣
What just happened there?!#Nishanka #IndvsSL #AsiaCupT20 #Parera pic.twitter.com/6CEpjSbkQi
— Asia Voice 🎤 (@Asianewss) September 26, 2025
Hammered one for six and called a dead ball, same over thumped next six into sidescreen 😁🤩 pic.twitter.com/ixvHGfmXqM
— MarcMartín (@MarcMartinn) September 26, 2025
The explanation lay in a technicality. Abhishek Sharma, who appeared to be walking off the field at that moment, had not fully crossed the boundary rope. According to cricket laws, until a player has completely exited the field, play cannot continue. As a result, the ball was ruled dead before Nissanka’s shot, and Sri Lanka were denied six crucial runs.
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The decision disappointed Sri Lankan players and fans alike, with many questioning the timing of the umpire’s call. While it had no immediate impact on the match outcome, the rare incident highlighted how lesser-known rules can influence high-stakes games.
