England bowler Chris Woakes was controversially denied a juggling catch on the boundary rope following a third umpire intervention on day two of the Multan Test against Pakistan.
During the 117th over of Pakistan’s first innings, all-rounder Salman Ali Agha was on 15 when he skipped down the track at England spinner Jack Leach and launched a lofted drive towards long-off.
Woakes pedalled back to take the catch before throwing the ball into the air and stepping over the boundary rope, completing the apparent dismissal after hopping back onto the field.
The on-field umpires sent the decision upstairs as England celebrated the breakthrough, but third official Chris Gaffaney ruled that Woakes’ right foot was still touching the ground outside the boundary when he completed the catch.
Watch India v New Zealand LIVE & exclusive to Fox Sports, available on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today >
England’s players were left in disbelief, while Agha later confessed he thought he was out.
“I did think it was out initially, I was walking towards the dressing room,” Agha explained.
“The umpire said that he saw that his foot was on the boundary. I don’t really know, I haven’t seen it again. I initially thought I was out.”
The missed chance proved costly, with Agha finishing unbeaten on 104 as Pakistan posted 556 in the first innings. The 30-year-old clobbered ten boundaries and three sixes before reaching his third Test century.
In response, England was 1-96 at stumps, still trailing the hosts by 460 runs.
Discussion about this post