It has become very common to bowl a no-ball with so much leg out in the Abu Dhabi T10 League.Image Credit Source: Screenshot/x
In recent years, new records have been set in professional cricket for batting by bowlers. Many times 30 runs, 36 runs and even 42 runs have been scored in one over. But all this has been seen at different times, in different places and in different tournaments. But 30 runs in just 3 balls of one, hearing this will make anyone’s ears perk up and eyes open. If this was not enough, there was also a no-ball in that over for a foot-long outstretched leg. This all happened in an Abu Dhabi T10 League match, where this has now become commonplace and serious allegations of match-fixing have started to surface.
The Abu Dhabi T10 League has made its mark on the shortest unofficial format of cricket in the last 4-5 years. Earlier, mostly unknown or less famous cricketers used to play in this league, but due to the increasing popularity of T20 and T10 cricket leagues around the world, now famous cricketers also play in it. Stormy batting is seen here but the type of bowling being seen has become a joke.
Stormy batting, embarrassing bowling or….
The last incident took place on November 25, when the teams Delhi Bulls and Bangla Tigers clashed. In this match, Delhi batted first and scored 123 runs losing 6 wickets in 10 overs. For him, number eight batsman Nikhil Chaudhary scored the highest score of 47 runs, that too in just 16 balls, which included 7 fours and 2 sixes. Of this, Nikhil scored 28 runs in a single.
Nikhil achieved these runs by hitting fours and sixes, but it was not him who stole the show, but the bowler who bowled him, that too with his shocking delivery. This bowler was Dasun Shanka. He spent 33 runs in this over, but of them, 30 runs came in just 3 balls. Yes, 30 runs were scored in his 3 legal balls and this happened because Shanaka crossed all limits of poor bowling and bowled 4 no balls along with 3 balls in the over.
What just happened in the T10 LEAGUE: Dasun Shanaka’s 4 ballless front feet 🫡 pic.twitter.com/0kbPZhyXlS
– Dinda Academy (@academy_dinda) November 26, 2024
A four was hit on his first ball. Then the next two balls were no balls and four were also hit. The next ball, i.e. the second correct ball, was hit for a four. He then scored a six on the third correct ball. Then the next ball was a no ball but no run was scored. After this, he again bowled a sin ball and scored a four. That means the image was something like this: 4, 4(nb),4(nb),4,6,(nb),4(nb).
…match fixing?
Shanaka again made a comeback and gave only one run each in the last 3 balls and 33 runs were spent from the end. But the way he had no balls, it was even more shocking. On a no-ball, his foot was about a foot outside the crease. Generally a no-ball is visible up to a centimeter or two or an inch or two, but a no-ball of a foot is enough to put you under suspicion. Obviously, this would lead to accusations of match-fixing and that is exactly what happened. Many fans openly called it rigging on social media and demanded the closure of the tournament.
Clear and deliberate off ball, these leagues need to be investigated by the ICC, Dasun Shanaka is literally the current Sri Lankan player which is strange.
-Wike (@WikeCricket) November 25, 2024
How many fixes will there be in the Abu Dhabi T10 League, brother? It means Dasun Shanaka is bowling 4 no-balls in one. The interesting thing is that he never bowled any ball for Sri Lanka. The Fixing league was at its peak.#AbuDabiT10 #IPLAAuction
– REAL GURJAR👑 (@GurjarRegiment_) November 25, 2024
Now you know why Cricket Sri Lanka could never grow?
Absolute cheaters like Dasun Shanaka captained Sri Lanka’s limited overs format of cricket.
4, NB4, NB4, 4, 6, NB, NB4, 1, 1, 1 = 33 runs in an over
4 no balls in an over from the former Sri Lanka captain! @OficialSLC
– Exclusive Shot (@Scoopshott) November 25, 2024
Best solution I’ve seen from some big names… especially Dasun Shanaka… Zazai and Shehjad don’t surprise me. #AbuDabiT10
— Gautí (@Tradergautam) November 25, 2024
All of this is happening right under the nose of the ICC.
This is not the first time. Just a few days ago, another player had bowled a similar long ball. Similar scenes have also been seen in recent seasons. This is also shocking because Shanaka is not a small player but an experienced Sri Lankan all-rounder and was also the former captain who won the Asia Cup 2 years ago. He was also part of the team until recently. Apart from this, all this is happening right under the nose of the ICC because the ICC headquarters is in Dubai, a short distance from Abu Dhabi. In such a situation, will the ICC take action in this regard?
