• Source:JND
Add as a preferred

IND-A vs PAK-A Match Catch Controversy: India A players were left shocked after Maaz Sadaqat was given not out despite a clean catch on the boundary during their match against Pakistan Shaheens in the ongoing Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025 in Doha on Sunday.

Sadaqat went on to play a memorable knock of unbeaten 79 runs in 47 balls on the back of seven fours and four sixes as Pakistan A chased down the 137-run target in 13.2 overs. The controversial call ended up being a turning point as India lost the match by 8 wickets.

The incident happened in the 10th over of Pakistan's run chase. A delivery by Suyash Sharma was hit in the air by Sadaqat and was heading towards the boundary. Nehal Wadhera came up with an incredible effort to not only save the boundary, but also released it well enough to ensure Naman Dhir could catch it and complete a brilliant relay catch.

Recommended For You

ALSO READ: Naman Dhir Gives Spirited Response After Pakistan's Saad Masood Hurls Mouthful In Heated Send-Off

Replays showed that the catch was clean, as Nehal had released the ball before crossing the boundary line. While the players were waiting for the final decision from the third umpire, which was expected to be out, Sadaqat even left the field of play and was in the dugout. However, the third-umpire Morshed Ali Khan stunned the players and crowd by showing not-out as the Pakistan batter made his way back to the crease.

ALSO READ: Kevin Pietersen Criticises 'Modern Day Techniques' After India's Collapse In Kolkata Test

The Indian camp was left fuming as skipper Jitesh Sharma and other players confronted the umpire and had a heated chat. On the boundary line, the fourth umpire was also seen having a chat with the Indian players and support staff. Adding more to the confusion, it was not given a six either and called a dot-ball.


Why Maaz Sadaqat Was Given Not Out During the IND-A vs PAK-A match despite Nehal Wadhera and Naman Dhir's Clean Catch? What does ICC Rule Say?

The decision to give Maaz Sadaqat not out was taken as per the new rule of boundary catches announced by the ICC in June 2025. An amendment was announced to Law 19.5.2. Here are the modifications -

19.5.2 A fielder who is not in contact with the ground is considered to be grounded beyond the boundary if, prior to their first contact with the ball, their final contact with the ground was not entirely within the boundary. This applies to any fielder who makes contact with the ball after it has been delivered by the bowler, whether or not the ball has previously been touched by another fielder.19.5.2.1 If a fielder's first contact with the ball does not contravene 19.5.2, that fielder may then jump from outside the boundary in order to make contact with the ball whilst airborne. After making contact with the ball once airborne, all subsequent contact with the ground by that fielder, until the ball becomes dead, must be within the field of play. Any subsequent contact with the ground outside the boundary by that fielder during that delivery, whether or not in contact with the ball, will result in a boundary being scored.19.5.2.2 If the ball is returned to the field of play, whether to another fielder or onto the ground, by a fielder who has jumped from outside the boundary, that fielder must land and remain within the boundary until the ball becomes dead. Otherwise, a boundary shall be scored.

"As per the new regulations, a player is required to have a fielder who makes contact with the ball while being in the air beyond the boundary to then land and remain inside the boundary. A fielder, after making their first contact with the ball, subsequently leaves the field of play, can only make contact with the ball once more while airborne beyond the boundary.

"Having done so, they must land and remain wholly within the boundary. This applies even if another player completes the fielding. This change will be implemented in international cricket before it is included in the MCC Laws of Cricket next year," said the ICC statement.

Interestingly, the ball was released by Nehal while being in the field of play without touching the boundary, so it was not given a six.

Pakistan have become the first team to make it to the semifinal, having won their first two matches against Oman and India.

Also In News