Doha, Qatar – A cloud of controversy descended upon the Rising Stars Asia Cup 2025 match between India A and Pakistan A on November 16, 2025, after a contentious umpiring decision ignited fury among the Indian players. The incident occurred during Pakistan A's run chase, leaving players and fans bewildered and sparking heated debate over the laws of the game.
Pakistan A were chasing a modest total of 137 when Maaz Sadaqat, looking dangerous at the crease, launched a shot towards the long-on boundary off the bowling of Suyash Sharma. Indian fielder Nehal Wadhera leaped acrobatically near the boundary rope to catch the ball, but as his momentum carried him over the boundary, he flicked the ball back into play for teammate Naman Dhir to complete the catch. The on-field umpires initially signaled out, and Sadaqat began to walk off the field.
However, the decision was then referred to the third umpire for review, which is standard protocol for such close calls. After examining multiple angles for several minutes, the TV umpire overturned the on-field decision, declaring Sadaqat not out. This decision was based on the Marylebone Cricket Club's (MCC) newly amended Law, which addresses relay catches. According to the updated rule, if the first fielder is still outside the boundary when they touch the ball, it is considered a boundary, regardless of whether a subsequent fielder completes the catch within the field of play. Since Wadhera was outside the boundary when he relayed the ball to Dhir, the third umpire deemed Sadaqat not out.
The decision triggered an immediate and vociferous reaction from the Indian team. Indian players, including Wadhera and Dhir, surrounded the umpires, arguing that they believed they had completed a fair catch. Replays show the India A captain, Jitesh Sharma, approaching the umpires to seek clarity on the ruling. The heated exchanges reflected the high stakes of the match and the intense rivalry between the two nations. Social media quickly erupted with fans expressing their opinions on the decision, with many questioning the interpretation and application of the new rule. Adding to the confusion, Pakistan A was not awarded a six for the shot, nor a single run because the batsmen did not cross.
Adding to the drama, Indian batter Ashutosh Sharma found himself at the center of attention earlier in the innings due to a contentious leg-before-wicket (LBW) decision. Umpire Mahmood Kharoti raised his finger almost instantly after a delivery from Pakistan's Saad Masood struck Ashutosh on the pads. Replays suggested the ball might have pitched outside the off-stump, leading to frustration and disbelief in the Indian camp.
Despite the controversies, Pakistan A went on to win the match by 8 wickets, with Maaz Sadaqat playing a crucial role in the victory. This win secured Pakistan A's place in the semi-finals of the Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025. The match had other tense moments, including Vaibhav Suryavanshi's exchange of words with Pakistan pacer Ubaid Khan, and the Indian team continuing to follow the BCCI's "No Handshake" policy with Pakistani players.
