Noor was run-out after drifting out of his crease, mistakenly believing the ball was dead, which it was not until the umpire called “over.” Despite being out of his ground, Australian captain Smith chose not to uphold the appeal for the run-out, even though replays showed he would have been dismissed. This decision allowed Afghanistan to score an additional 25 runs, as they would have been 248 for 9 instead. Historically, instances of appeals against players wandering out of their crease have been upheld, but notable figures in cricket have occasionally shown sportsmanship by recalling players in similar situations.
Replays indicated that Noor was well out of his ground, but Smith was quick to inform the umpires that the appeal should be disregarded, even though Inglis showed some eagerness. Noor had just completed a single after Omarzai hit Nathan Ellis through midwicket and called Noor – the No. 10 batter – through in order to retain the strike for the next over.
While Afghanistan had no intention of taking advantage, the rules of cricket are explicit. Run-outs are a legitimate mode of dismissal until the ball is declared dead. Had Smith not retracted the appeal, Noor would have been given out, likely by third umpire Chris Gaffaney.
Noor had scored three runs off three balls at that point and ended up with six runs off eight. More importantly, Afghanistan would have sat at 248 for 9 after 47 overs if Smith hadn’t withdrawn the appeal. With only one wicket remaining, their chances of reaching the extra 25 runs they eventually scored would have been diminished. Noor was ultimately dismissed off the last ball of the innings.