India A vs Pakistan Shaheen clash at Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025 turned into controversy in an instant, leaving fans and players stunned. Pakistan Shaheens batsman Maaz Sadaqat was saved from a brilliant chance thanks to a shocking decision by the TV umpire in Doha on November 16.
The drama unfolded in the 10th over of Pakistan’s innings when Indian leg spinner Suyyash Sharma bowled a ball which Sadaqat bounced towards the boundary. Nehal Wadhera showed incredible athleticism as he ran across the field and made an almost impossible catch.
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Realizing that his pace would take him across the boundary line, Vadhera threw the ball towards his teammate Naman Dheer, who completed the catch and started celebrating. The on-field umpires immediately sent the decision to TV umpire Morshed Ali Khan.
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Later, the third umpire shocked everyone by declaring the catch not out, leaving India A captain Jitesh Sharma fuming on the field. Jitesh Sharma argued fiercely with the on-field umpire and insisted that the relay catch was completely legal, but the decision was not changed and Sadakat got a life.
Adding to the drama, the ball counted as a dot. No sixes were given, and the two runs Sadaqat had attempted were also not given, leaving players and fans scratching their heads. India A was unhappy with a decision when Sadaqat was at the crease.
What does the ICC rule say?
The incident comes after the International Cricket Council (ICC) updated its rules on boundary catches in July. Rule 19.5.2 of the ICC’s Conditions of Play for T20Is states, “A fielder may leap out of bounds to make contact with the ball while it is in the air.
Once contact is made with the ball in the air, all subsequent contact with the ground by that fielder, until the ball becomes dead, must be within the area of play. Any subsequent contact with the ground outside the boundary by that fielder during that delivery, whether in contact with the ball or not, will result in a four.”
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According to the updated rules, Nehal Vadhera followed the correct procedure during the relay catch. After tossing the ball to his partner he never touched it again.
If he stepped outside the boundary line, touched the ground, and then made contact again with the ball while jumping into the air before returning to the field, the catch would be considered illegal.
Doha disaster for India A, Pakistan Shaheens achieve one-sided target
Meanwhile, India A suffered a dramatic defeat by eight wickets against Pakistan A in the Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025 clash in Doha on Sunday. India A won the toss and elected to bat first and they looked comfortable and in complete control at 91 for three in the 10th over.
But then something happened that surprised everyone. Due to a sudden and incredible batting collapse the entire team was bundled out for only 136 runs and lost the remaining seven wickets in no time.
Pakistan’s strong bowling attack turned the game with a brutal spell, which India A could not easily handle.
Chasing the small target of 137 runs, Pakistan A showed complete dominance. Their batsmen played freely and crossed the finish line even with 40 balls remaining.
Sadaqat played a match-winning innings of 79 runs off 47 balls and took two wickets and played a key role in Pakistan’s easy eight-wicket victory and secured a place in the semi-finals of the ongoing Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025.
