Watch: Kieron Pollard does a Shoaib Akhtar, converts no-ball into dead ball in Lucknow

During the 3rd ODI vs Afghanistan, Kieron Pollard pulled out of his delivery stride midway after the umpire called a no-ball for overstepping.

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Watch: Kieron Pollard does a Shoaib Akhtar, converts no-ball into dead ball in Lucknow
Kieron Pollard led West Indies to a 3-0 series win on Monday (Twitter: @acbofficials)

In Short

  • West Indies beat Afghanistan by 5 wickets on Monday
  • Kieron Pollard lead West Indies to 3-0 series win in Lucknow
  • Pollard's antics were reminiscent of Shoaib Akhtar's a from a few years ago

West Indies limited-overs captain Kieron Pollard has produced another proof of his cricket wits when he pulled out of a delivery after the umpire called him for overstepping. During the 3rd ODI vs Afghanistan which was played in Lucknow on Monday, Pollard brought himself into the attack in the 25th over in order to break the partnership developing between Asghar Afghan and Najibullah Zadran for the 5th wicket. But what happened next amused cricket fans all over the world.

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Soon after Pollard got into his delivery stride, the umpire shouted 'NO BALL' to signal that the bowler had overstepped. Having heard this, Pollard smartly didn't deliver the ball and pulled out of his stride. The smiling umpire was forced to signal a 'dead ball' instead. The non-striker Zadran couldn't hide his smile either after Asghar played a shadow square-cut.

This is, however, not the 1st time that a bowler has not bowled a ball after being called for overstepping. Former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar was a famous exponent of this tactic during his playing days. Here is a clip of him 'not' bowling a no-ball:

Pollard's antics must have felt even more amusing after stylish batsman Shai Hope slammed an unbeaten century to steer West Indies to a comprehensive five-wicket win and complete a 3-0 whitewash.

Chasing 250 for a win, Hope, opening the innings, smashed three sixes and eight fours in his 145-ball 109 not out to help West Indies overhauled the target, scoring 253 for 5 in 48.4 overs.

He was ably supported by Roston Chase (42 not out), Brandon King (39), Nicholas Pooran (21) and skipper Pollard (32).

Earlier, put in to bat, Afghanistan posted a competitive 249 for 7, riding on Asghar Afghan's 85-ball 86 and fifties from opener Hazratullah Zazai (50) and Mohammad Nabi (50 not out).