Pakistan wicketkeeper Khawaja Nafay made a controversial stumping to dismiss Australia’s Cooper Connolly during the third T20I in Lahore on Sunday (February 1).

The incident unfolded in the 14th over of Australia’s run chase. While facing Mohammad Nawaz, Connolly danced down the track but failed to make contact as the delivery drifted down the leg side, allowing Nafay to collect the ball cleanly and dislodge the bails with ample time. The Aussie batter attempted to get back into his crease but was well short.

However, controversy followed soon after. Television replays showed that Nafay was holding the ball in his right hand while removing the bails with his left. This raised questions over whether the stumping was done as per the laws, and whether the on-field umpires missed that the bails were removed using the hand not holding the ball.

Clause 29.2.1 of the ICC men's T20 playing conditions say, “The wicket is broken fairly if a bail is completely removed from the top of the stumps or a stump is struck out of the ground - by a fielder with his hand or arm, providing that the ball is held in the hand or hands so used, or in the hand of the arm so used.”

Coming to the match, Pakistan defeated Australia by 111 runs to complete a 3-0 series sweep. Chasing 208 to win, the visitors’ innings folded for a paltry 96 in 16.5 overs. No Australian batter managed to touch the 30-run mark, while Nawaz returned with a five-wicket haul for the hosts.

Earlier, the Men in Green racked up a formidable 207/6 on the board, courtesy of half-centuries from Saim Ayub (56 off 37), Babar Azam (50* off 36) and Shadab Khan’s brutal 19-ball 46.