NEW DELHI: Fans watching the third ODI between India and Afghanistan in Chennai were left surprised when India’s innings started with the score 5/0 before a ball was bowled.The unusual start was a result of the five-run penalty awarded to India during Afghanistan’s innings after the captaincy Hashmatullah Shahidi repeatedly ran to the protected part of the playground.
Why did India start 5/0 against Afghanistan?
The incident happened late in Afghanistan. Shahidi had already been cautioned by the referees for entering a dangerous area while running between the wickets. Despite warnings, he again entered the protected zone on the final ball of the 39th over.Initially there appeared to be some confusion as to who should face the next ball after one ball was taken. However, the referees later clarified that Shahidi’s violation of the game conditions resulted in a penalty.As a result, the single did not count and India were awarded five penalty runs, which were added to their score before the chase even began. This meant that India started their innings at 5/0 as they chased Afghanistan’s total.The penalty overshadowed an otherwise combative effort by Shahidi, who scored his maiden ODI century.Before that, Afghanistan found themselves in deep trouble after being reduced to 36/4 inside the first 10 overs. Prasidh Krishna tore through the top order, dismissing Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah and Darwish Rasooli in a devastating opening spell.With Afghanistan on the ropes, Shahidi and Azmatullah Omarzai led the recovery. The pair added 105 runs for the fifth wicket with Omarzai contributing a quickfire 50 off 56 balls.Shahidi struggled with cramps and pressure from the Indian bowlers but continued to hold the innings together. He eventually reached his maiden ODI hundred in the 44th over and finished with 102 off 131 balls, including 13 fours and a six.However, Afghanistan lost wickets quickly towards the end and they were bowled out for 218. Prasidh came back to claim Shahidi for his fifth wicket and finished with career best figures of 5/23.
