'This sh*t’s getting outa hand' - Dale Steyn responds to the latest 'Mankad' controversy

The word ‘Mankad’ is once again trending all over social media as another incident has drawn battle lines between former cricketers, pundits, and the fans on whether it is in the realms of ‘Spirit of Cricket’ or not. The incident happened during the 4th Quarter-final of the ICC U-19 World Cup fixture between Pakistan and Afghanistan when Afghan teenage spinner Noor Ahmad proceeded to run-out Mohammad Huraira at the non-striker’s end.

Ahmad appealed instantly and the batsman was adjudged out to once again spark the debate around whether the dismissal and the actions of the bowlers are in line with the spirit of cricket. According to the law if the non-striker is out of his ground from the moment the ball comes into play, to the instant when the bowler would normally have been expected to release the ball, the bowler is permitted to attempt to run him out. The actions of the bowler were completely justified but the controversy refuses to die with former cricketers like Mohammad Kaif, James Anderson voicing their opinion against it.

South African pace bowling legend Dale Steyn is the latest to join the bandwagon. Steyn was replying to a video of the incident shared by journalist Piers Morgan where he said, “This sh*t’s getting outa hand.”

This shit’s getting outa hand.

— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) January 31, 2020

World Cricket is divided on their views on ‘Mankad’

Apart from Steyn, English fast bowler James Anderson has been quite vocal about the incident. Anderson took to social media where he asked the ICC/MCC to remove the law altogether. However, post that, Ashwin took a cheeky dig at the English fast bowler when he replied that a shredder might do the trick, to which Anderson sarcastically said, “I wonder why Ravi wants the law to stay! #lovesamankad.” Ashwin then proceeded replied, “I am not taking the bait mate, my point was about the usefulness of a shredder and not the runout.”

The whole controversy around “Mankad”- which originally draws its name from former Indian cricketer Vinoo Mankad who bowled Australia’s Billy Brown during a 1948 Test- has been brewing for some time now. Last year, it reached to its hilt when Ashwin dismissed Jos Buttler in the same manner during an IPL game.