LONDON: Pakistan batter Haider Ali was stumped out in a bizarre manner, thanks to the shrewdness of the wicketkeeper, during the Vitality Blast match between Derbyshire Falcons and Birmingham Bears on Wednesday. 

The dismissal happened in the 11th over of Debyshire’s chase when Haider Ali was batting at 48 from 33 balls. The right-hander failed to connect with Danny Briggs’ overpitched delivery. While Birmingham’s wicketkeeper Alex Davies failed to grab the ball initially, Haider Ali tried to snatch a quick single assuming that the wicketkeeper was not in possession of the ball. But to his dismay, Davies dislodged the bails as soon as he was out of his crease.

Later, Derbyshire won the match by six wickets thanks to a match-winning knock by captain Leus du Plooy, who scored 66 from 25 balls. 

Notwithstanding the comical fashion in which he departed, Haider Ali, otherwise, played a handsome knock and gave a superb start to Derbyshire’s chase of massive 204 runs.

He stitched a 95-run opening stand with Luis Reece, who scored 57 from 38 balls.

It is pertinent to mention that the 22-year-old has scored 499 runs in 33 T20Is for Pakistan at an average of 18.48. He struggled with his form in the recent Pakistan Super League season 8, playing for Karachi Kings.

Haider Ali was also a part of the Pakistan side which finished as runners-up in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022.

The youngster joined Mickey Arthur’s Derbyshire County Cricket Club in April for the County Championship 2023 and Vitality Blast.

“I’m very excited, it’s my first time playing county cricket and I love the coaching of Mickey Arthur,” said Haider Ali at the time of his deal with the club.

“I think it’s difficult for anyone to play all formats, but I’m lucky to have the opportunity and I’m so excited to get started. It has been a dream of mine to play under Mickey, as soon as he called I said ‘I’m ready to play county cricket for Derbyshire.”

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