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My son will laugh on the funny run out against Australia, says Pak cricketer Azhar Ali

WION Web Team
New Delhi, Delhi, IndiaUpdated: Oct 19, 2018, 12:44 PM IST
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Pakistan's Azhar Ali looks dejected as he walks off after losing his wicket. Photograph:(Reuters)

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"We were not watching the ball," says Azhar Ali.

Pakistan's cricketer Azhar Ali reacted after the bizarre run out in the second Test against Australia on Thursday. He said his 10-year-old son Ibtisam will definitely speak about it for a long time in a "funny way".

"My son is going to speak about it (the run out) for a long time and in a funny way," said Azhar of his son, 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."

Azhar, who lost his wicket after scoring 64 runs in the funniest way possible, anticipated some teasing for his brain-fade.

Pakistan took control of the Test setting a massive 538-run target for Australia with two days left but the highlight was the brain-fade run out.

The incident happened in Pakistan's innings when Azhar edged a Peter Siddle delivery towards the third man boundary.

Azhar thought the ball had crossed the rope and halted in the middle of the pitch to talk to fellow batsman Asad Shafiq.

But Mitchell Starc picked up the ball less than a yard from the boundary and threw it back to wicketkeeper Tim Paine, who ran Azhar out.

Azhar revealed he was discussing the swing of the ball with Shafiq as they chatted in the middle of the wicket.

"We were just discussing that the ball was swinging a bit late. We both didn't actually realise something like this could happen.

He further said, "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."

"We were not watching the ball and that was the reason I missed the whole sight of it. 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."

Azhar denied there was any unsporting behaviour from Australian players in his dismissal.

"I don't think it was bad sportsmanship and I take full responsibility as I feel I was a bit ignorant. It was nothing at all as no one got in my way or distracted me. 

"It was my own doing. I think the Aussies did the right thing."