Explained: Why 5 runs were added to Pathum Nissanka's score and not 6 after overthrow in India vs Sri Lanka 1st T20I?

Australia v Sri Lanka - ICC Men
Pathum Nissanka scored 79 runs off 48 balls. [Getty Images]

In a bizarre incident, Sri Lanka scored five runs from an overthrow against India in the opening T20I at Pallekele on Saturday, July 27. Lankan batters Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Perera ran two and the overthrow went for a boundary.

The incident took place in the 12th over of Sri Lanka’s run chase of 214 runs. Nissanka played Hardik Pandya’s delivery towards square leg and ran for a single. There was a direct hit at the bowler’s end but Nissanka had made his ground. The ball hit the stumps and deflected for a boundary.

The TV umpire took a closer look and found that the batters had not crossed each other during their second run. This was when the ball was released by the deep square-leg fielder. Hence, the fourth umpire gave it five runs.

What does the rule says?

According to Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), rule 19.8 says:

“If the boundary results from an overthrow or from the wilful act of a fielder, the runs scored shall be any runs for penalties awarded to either side and the runs completed by the batters, together with the run in progress if they had already crossed at the instant of the throw or act.”

What happened in India vs Sri Lanka 1st T20I so far?

Asked to bat first, India posted 213/7 in their allotted 20 overs. Suryakumar Yadav led from the front, scoring 58 runs off 26 balls with the help of two sixes and eight boundaries. Rishabh Pant, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill chipped in with scores of 49 (33), 40 (21) and 34 (16), respectively.

Matheesha Pathirana emerged as the leading wicket-taker for Sri Lanka, finishing with excellent figures of 4/40. Dilshan Madushanka, Asitha Fernando, and Wanindu Hasaranga bagged one wicket apiece.

In response, Sri Lanka were 149/3 after 15 overs, with Kamindu Mendis and captain Charith Asalanka at the crease. Pathum Nissanka top scored with 79 off 48 deliveries, hitting four sixes and seven boundaries. Kusal Mendis also chipped in with 45 off 27, sharing an 84-run partnership with Nissanka for the opening wicket.

Follow the IND vs SL 1st T20I live score and updates here.

Quick Links

Edited by Aditya Singh