Asia Cup 2016: Oman follow Windies U-19s' example to mankad Hong Kong for win

New Delhi: After the West Under-19 team's mankad of their Zimbabwean counterparts, a similar incident was witnessed in the Asia Cup on Friday.

The incident occurred during the game between Hong Kong and Oman that was eventually won by five runs by the latter.

According to a report in ESPNCricinfo, Oman left-arm spinner Aamir Kaleem got rid off premier batsman Mark Chapman via a mankad in the ninth over of the Hong Kong chase.

This act of the opposition prompted HK coach Simon Cook to react rather strongly.

"Yes it's in the laws but I think it goes against the spirit of the game when you're not at least giving a warning. Ultimately it's a cowardly way out really, if you're battling against one another, man against man, out in the middle and you choose to go down that route to get a wicket and win the game, it's not really in the spirit of cricket," Cook said after the tight game.

Hong Kong's Babar Hayat scored 122 off 60 balls, which is the fourth highest score in T20Is and the best by an Associate player. Sadly for him, this eventful game will be remembered for the mankad controversy instead of his sterling effort.

"We have all seen it happen in the Under-19 World Cup so it is not a wrong thing. It is under the rules. If the batsman goes before the ball has been released, any bowler can do this. So I did this,” said Kaleem defending himself.

Former Australian pacer Jason Gillespie backed the bowler.

How can this be against the spirit of the game if it is within the laws of the game? https://t.co/uXp5DLBlrh

— Jason Gillespie (@YCCCDizzy) February 20, 2016

@YCCCDizzy @ESPNcricinfo absolutely agree with you. Either remove this rule or stop whining about it. — Tushar Gogia (@TusharGogia1) February 20, 2016

Interestingly, the match was in the balance when Kaleem sent Chapman back into the hut. With Hayat playing out of his skin, one wonders what the result would have been had this incident not occurred.