WATCH: When Kumar Sangakkara’s fake run out movement fooled Pakistani batsman, made him dive full stretch

Former Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara is remembered fondly for his elegant batsmanship. But Sangakkara is seldom given credit for being a very street-smart customer as a wicketkeeper. The now-retired legend from the Island nation inflicted 144 dismissals in 48 Tests, was involved in a whopping 482 wickets in ODIs and 45 times in T20Is. […]
 
?width=963&height=541&resizemode=4
WATCH: When Kumar Sangakkara’s fake run out movement fooled Pakistani batsman, made him dive full stretch

Former Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara is remembered fondly for his elegant batsmanship. But Sangakkara is seldom given credit for being a very street-smart customer as a wicketkeeper.

The now-retired legend from the Island nation inflicted 144 dismissals in 48 Tests, was involved in a whopping 482 wickets in ODIs and 45 times in T20Is. Those who followed his career closely would attest, Sangakkara also used to chirp quite a lot from behind the stumps and often got under the skins of the opposition batsmen.

 

When Kumar Sangakkara befooled Ahmed Shahzad

WATCH: When Kumar Sangakkara’s fake run out movement fooled Pakistani batsman, made him dive full stretch

Kumar Sangakkara showcased his streetsmartness against Ahmed Shahzad.

But in one instance during his illustrious career, Kumar Sangakkara didn’t have to utter a single word to break an opponent batter’s rhythm and get him out of his comfort zone.

This famous incident is from Sri Lanka’s 2013-14 tour of UAE where they took on longstanding rivals Pakistan in an all-format series.

WATCH: When Kumar Sangakkara’s fake run out movement fooled Pakistani batsman, made him dive full stretch

During the second ODI played in Dubai, Pakistan batsman Ahmed Shahzad lofted wristspinner Seekkuge Prasanna to the left of the positioned long-off fieldsman.

With the throw taking time to come from the deep, Shahzad and his partner Misbah-ul-Haq looked like taking a comfortable two.

But this is where the fun began, as suddenly Shahzad was seen making a desperate dive to get back in his crease at the striker’s end.

WATCH – Fake Fielding: Watch 10 Instances Of Fielders Attempting To Feign The Batsmen

For a bit, nobody realised what had happened and why Shahzad reacted the way he did despite initially easing backing to his mark.

But on replays seen later, one could see that the player was befooled by an act of fake fielding from Sangakkara who, even as the ball was still far away from him, gestured as if he has grabbed hold of it and is about to complete a run-out.

Foxed by Sangakkara’s initial attempt, Shahzad thought he is in trouble and dived to save his life.

 

Moments later, as he rolled across the turf and adjusted his pads, one could see that Shahzad wasn’t amused by Kumar Sangakkara’s fake run-out and offered him a look of disapproval. Only for the two players to eventually share a smile at each other when the wicketkeeper tried to mend ways with the Pakistani batsman by talking the matter up with him.