India began their chase at 5/0 before a single delivery was bowled in the ongoing third ODI against Afghanistan at Chepauk on Saturday (June 20).

The reason for this unusual start was a mistake committed by Afghanistan skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi in the first innings. The hosts were awarded five runs as Shahidi was penalised for running on the restricted area of the pitch.

During Afghanistan’s innings, Shahidi was warned by the umpires for treading on the protected, danger zone of the pitch while running between the wickets. On the last delivery of the 40th over, the captain again breached the restricted area for the second time.

On-field umpires Chris Gaffaney and Rohan Pandit took note of the violation, disallowed the single he had just taken, and handed five penalty runs to India.

Under Law 41.14 of the MCC Laws of Cricket, batters are penalized if they run on the protected area, a central 5-foot by 2-foot zone on the pitch. The batting side receives an official warning on the first offence, while subsequent offenses result in a five-run penalty and the disallowance of runs.

Coming to the match, Prasidh Krishna claimed the first five-wicket haul of his career as India bowled out Afghanistan for 218 in 44.2 overs. Prasidh took each of the first four wickets, reducing the visitors to 36/4.

Afghanistan fought back, thanks to Hashmatullah Shahidi’s first ODI hundred (102) and Azmatullah Omarzai slammed a half-century (50). Prince Yadav, Gurnoor Brar and Harsh Dubey picked up a wicket each, while Shubman Gill inflicted two run outs in two balls.

Having won the first two ODIs in Dharamsala and Lucknow, India have already secured an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.