Pakistan Women denied a wicket as bowler’s towel falls down

The Women’s Asia Cup champions Sri Lanka were put in the doldrums against Pakistan in the second game of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024. After bowling first, they did a good job of restricting Pakistan to 116 all out; however, ended up losing the game by 31 runs. Their situation could have been even more dire had a towel not fallen from left-arm spinner Nashra Sandhu on the first ball of the 13th over. 

Sandhu bowled the delivery full and right under the bat of Nilakshika Silva, who brought out a slog sweep but completely missed the delivery and was adjudged LBW. However, just a few moments later, the ball was declared dead as Sandhu’s towel fell after she delivered the ball. 

According to Clause 20.4.2.6 of the MCC laws, the ball is declared dead if the striker is distracted by any noise or movement or in any other way while preparing to receive, or receiving a delivery. The umpire had enough reasons to believe that the towel distracted the strike batter and hence changed their decision. 

A similar incident recently happened in the County Championship, where Kyle Abbott’s towel fell after he clean bowled Shoaib Bashir, and failed to get that dismissal as a result. 

However, this reversal of the dismissal didn't cost Pakistan much, as Sri Lanka folded for just 85 runs in the second innings.

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