Pakistan batsman runs himself out in comical fashion

Pakistan batsman Azhar Ali ran himself out in comical fashion during the third day’s play of the second Test between Pakistan and Australia at Abu Dhabi today.

Azhar edged a Peter Siddle delivery towards gully as the ball raced towards the boundary ropes. Thinking the ball had already gone for four, Azhar proceeded to knock the pitch to settle down some untidy earth and went for a chat with the batsman Asad Shafiq on the middle of the pitch.

The ball however stopped short of the boundary ropes and Mitchell Starc the chasing fielder, who probably assumed the ball would go for four too, but hared after it anyway, possibly in the knowledge that this pitch has a very slow outfield, quickly collected it back before throwing it to wicket-keeper Tim Paine who took down the bails to remove Azhar, who was batting on 44.

The Aussies celebrated while Azhar and Shafiq looked back in stranded befuddlement, attempting to work out exactly what had just happened.

Pakistan are on top in the second Test and lead by 490 runs with five wickets remaining.