Ravichandran Ashwin decodes Mohammad Rizwan's 'bizarre' run-out in Asia Cup opener

India veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was left stunned with Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan's run-out during the Asia Cup opener against Nepal. Notably, the Babar Azam-led side got off to a commanding start in the Continental Cup by comprehensively winning their first game by a mammoth 238 runs.

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Despite losing the early wickets of opener Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq for 25 runs, it was skipper Babar and Rizwan, who took the onus to get the derailed side back on track. As the keeper-batter was on course to notch up his half-century, his innings was cut-short courtesy of a peculiar run-out.

During the fourth delivery off the 24^th over, Rizwan set off to steal a quick single by pushing the ball towards covers. However, Dipendra Singh Airee, who was at covers, gathered the ball and got a direct hit at the stumps. In a bizarre turn of events for Rizwan, the batter had his bat and both feet in the air, as he took evasive action to get out of the line of the ball which led to his dismissal.

Just as much as it shocked fans, India spinner Ashwin too was taken aback by the manner by which Rizwan lost his wicket. Ashwin later took to his social media handle and provided his take on the peculiar run-out, stating that the choice of not putting on the helmet eventually led to Rizwan’s dismissal.

“The height of the throw made it harder to evade for Rizwan but for someone who generally dives to make his ground all the time while running between the wickets, this is a rare instance of him ducking for cover and the only reason is that he isn’t wearing his helmet. He loves sweeping against spin and no helmet makes it even more bizarre. #PAKvsNEP,” Ashwin shared on his ‘X’ (formerly Twitter) handle.

Meanwhile, skipper Babar Azam scripted the second-highest individual score in the history of the Asia Cup with his immaculate 151 off 131 balls. Furthermore, Pakistan recorded the second-biggest win by margin of runs in the Asia Cup (ODI format), only behind team India’s 256-run win against Hong Kong in 2008.

Babar and Co. will next square off against India at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy on September 2. A victory against the Men in Blue will help Pakistan cement their spot in the Super Four stage of the ACC event. 

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