Bowlers running out batters at the non-striker’s end for backing up too far used to be a rare occurrence but it has become quite common in recent times.

Several instances of such dismissals have been witnessed in the last few months. Pakistan pacer Zaib-un-Nisa is the latest to pull off this run out against Rwanda during the Women’s U-19 World Cup.

Like always, cricket fans and experts are divided over this mode of dismissal even though it has been legalized by the International Cricket Council.

Australia batting legend Mark Waugh on Monday (January 16) expressed his displeasure that teams are “deliberately” using this tactic to get a wicket.

“The worst thing is it seems that teams are using it as a deliberate planned way to get a wicket,” he tweeted.

Waugh’s post didn’t go down well with former India pacer Venkatesh Prasad, who replied: “Yes right, bowlers planning to get a player out by legal means is the worst thing. Batsman wanting to take unfair advantage by not staying back in the crease is the best thing.”

After the ICC amended its rule book in October 2022, such run-outs at the bowler’s end are no longer considered ‘unfair play’. However, the debate continues on whether this mode of dismissal is against the spirit of cricket or not.

Last week, India skipper Rohit Sharma had withdrawn an appeal after Mohammed Shami ran Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka out at the non-striker’s end for backing up too far.