We both didn’t realize something like this could happen, reveals Azhar Ali

Pakistan batsman Ali became a troll sensation overnight following his hilarious run-out against Australia in the recently concluded Test series. It happened during the second Test when both Ali and Shafiq failed to realize that the ball had not reached the boundary ropes and were busy talking on the middle of the pitch.

Mitchell Starc showed quick thinking to throw the ball at Paine, who dismantled the stumps leaving the crowd and the Pakistan players dumbfounded. After the day’s play, Ali was asked about the bizarre incident and the batsman readily took the blame on himself admitting that they couldn’t think such a thing could happen.

“We were just discussing that the ball was swinging a bit late. We both didn’t actually realise something like this could happen. When Starc threw the ball even then we didn’t think anything was happening but when it landed in the gloves of the keeper we realised something funny was happening.

“The way the shot was hit to a fast bowler and the edge flew I thought it reached the boundary. But there is no excuse. Everyone was pulling our legs in the dressing room but at that moment it was a shock,” said Ali.

Ali’s wicket had left Pakistan stranded at 160/4, but thanks to some brilliant batting by Babar Azam (99) and Sarfraz Ahmed (81) Pakistan went on to give a target of 538 runs to Australia, who eventually failed to reach anywhere near it. And Ali sounded graceful to his teammates for not letting the incident further deteriorate by a loss.

“I wasn’t happy with it and thankfully other batsmen did the job and we laughed about it afterwards. It is kind of disappointing and a shock but also funny,” Ali said. 

Ali wasn’t, however, spared by the internet trolls as the video clip went viral and the cricketer was quick to admit that he would never be able to get over it in his entire life, especially from his 10-year-old son.

“My son is going to speak about it (the run out) for a long time and in a funny way,” said Azhar of his 10-year-old son Ibtisam, who luckily for him arrived at the ground after his father’s dismissal. Whenever I will say something about cricket he will surely come back to this incident,” he said.