VIDEO | Ireland players run for shelter as sprinklers pop out in middle of the game

02/24/2019

Cricket has been a fragile sport given the perfect conditions, both internal and external, it always needs before going ahead. However, while natural conditions are uncontrollable, the artificial ones surely are and Ireland players looked disappointed as sprinklers came out to stop play in Dehradun.

Ireland were playing a must-win match when they took on Afghanistan in Dehradun on Saturday at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. After trailing the series 1-0 following a five-wicket defeat on Thursday, they were already on the back foot when they lost the toss and were asked to field first.

However, the Irishmen did make a good start restricting Afghanistan to just five runs in the first over with fielding restrictions on. With Usman Ghani opening with Hazratullah Zazai, after replacing Sharafuddin Ashraf, Ireland hoped for an early break with continuous pressure. However, all the focus went for a toss as sprinklers popped up on the field.

The first over had just finished when the incident happened with Boyd Rankin preparing to take his run-up. It was the rarest of occurrences for sure in the history of the sport and some players were seen running to the dugout in confusion. It took some time for the groundsmen to stop it as some Ireland players also tried blocking the opening with their boots.

Eventually, the incident led to a delay of eleven minutes as the ground already had wet patches the 30-yard circle by the time the sprinklers went down. Players walked off the field and the super sopper was requested immediately. All in all, it broke the focus Ireland players had approached the game with and eventually Ireland conceded a world record target of 279 in the first innings.

VIDEO | Ireland players run for shelter as sprinklers pop out in middle of the game

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