Mankad left players crying in dressing room

News

Cricket365
March 12, 2016

Zimbabwe's under 19 team were left in tears after their World Cup dream ended via a Mankad dismissal, with their coach saying they were heartbroken by the loss to the West Indies, despite its legality.

Zimbabwe needed just three runs to win their group match, which would have seen them advance to the quarter-finals, on Tuesday. But they were already nine down, and Windies bowler Keemo Paul affected the run out at the non-striker's end.

Commentators and players expressed outrage on social media, calling it a cowardly and cynical act, but it was within the laws of the game, and the batsman was out of his crease before the ball was bowled.

Zimbabwe coach Stephen Mangongo said afterwards: "I have debriefed the boys in the dressing room and they were all crying.

"We have explained that technically the run-out is legal. We left it to the last man and we should not have done that. It was a hard lesson and they have learnt it the hard way.

"I am proud of my boys. Restricting the West Indies for 226 on a batting-friendly wicket was a good performance and we were up for the chase. And like any other games, we lost quick wickets under pressure."

Zim manager Admire Marodza added: "It is too early to comment but we are trying to get emotions under control in the dressing-room. Everyone is disappointed at the loss.

"Rules are rules. We can't change them and we can't change what happened. A run-out is a run-out. I don't think it is anything to protest about. We are not happy about losing the game from such a good position.

"The way our boys competed, it is an achievement. We are happy how we played in this tournament."

Windies coach Graeme West sympathised with the Zimbabweans, saying: "I can imagine what they must be going through now. I feel sorry for them because they got themselves into winning positions and then we pulled it back. I share their disappointment."