India Wins T20 Match Against Japan Amidst Umpiring Controversy

Kathmandu. A controversy arose in the last over of the five-over shortened Twenty-20 match between Japan and India when two consecutive balls were given wide. However, Cricinfo reported that the umpire's decision appeared to be correct according to the rules.

Japan needed eight runs from four balls in the final over. As Axar Patel was bowling, Japan's left-handed batter Alexander Shirai-Patmore attempted a reverse hit. He missed the ball and it went towards the area near his feet in his normal stance. The striker's umpire Chris Thurgate called it wide. India expressed dissatisfaction after another ball was also given wide. Then, the leg umpire and member of the International Cricket Council's elite panel, Chris Brown, intervened and suggested changing the decision. After Thurgate changed the decision, Japan needed seven runs from three balls. Ultimately, India won the match by two runs.