The ICC Under-19 World Cup produced one of its most astonishing moments on Friday as Pakistan batter Ali Raza was run out in a bizarre fashion during the Group C match against England, leaving players, commentators, and fans stunned. The incident occurred at a crucial stage of the chase and quickly went viral on social media for its sheer improbability.

Chasing a target of 211, Pakistan had earlier been kept in the contest by a determined 65 from captain Farhan Yousaf. However, once Yousaf was dismissed in the 41st over, the responsibility fell on the lower order to salvage the innings. As the match entered its final phase, Pakistan were struggling at 173 for 9, with Momin Qamar and Ali Raza at the crease trying to prolong the chase.

The decisive moment came in the 47th over when Raza, in what appeared to be a complete lapse in concentration, wandered out of his crease without attempting a run. Whether he was trying to avoid an incoming throw from the deep or momentarily lost awareness of his position, the batter left himself vulnerable in an inexplicable manner.

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England captain and wicketkeeper Thomas Rew reacted instantly, collecting the ball cleanly and breaking the stumps in one swift motion. Replays showed that Raza made no effort to retreat back into his crease and was clearly short of his ground when the bails were removed, sealing a dismissal that commentators described as “comical” and “unbelievable.”

The run-out ended Pakistan’s innings and confirmed a 37-run victory for England Under-19, giving them an emphatic start to their World Cup campaign. The unusual nature of the final wicket overshadowed the closing stages of the match and became the defining image of the contest.

Reflecting on the defeat, Pakistan captain Farhan Yousaf said the middle order’s failure had put pressure on the tail but added that such lapses in concentration are especially costly in tournaments of the U19 World Cup’s stature. For England, the victory was a morale-boosting result, while Pakistan were left to rue a moment that turned a challenging chase into a memorable misstep.

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