Mankad drama at Under-19 World Cup

The West Indies Under-19 team has been labelled "absolutely disgraceful" after a controversial Mankad secured a narrow two-run victory over Zimbabwe in the ICC U19 World Cup.

Zimbabwe needed three runs to win with just one wicket remaining when fast-bowler Keemo Paul began the final over of what was a thrilling match in Chittagong.

As Paul approached the wicket to bowl the first ball over the over, non-striker Richard Ngarava began to slowly walk out of his crease in the quest for a quick single.

But instead of starting his delivery stride as he ran past the wicket, Paul quickly removed the bails with the ball in his right hand and appealed for a run out.

The umpires conferred and asked the West Indies if they wanted to withdraw the appeal, which they declined to do, so the officials referred the decision to the third umpire. The TV official reviewed the footage and correctly ruled that Ngarava was just out of his ground when the bails were removed.

The decision of out handed the Windies a two-run win and a spot in the quarter-finals, while it also ended Zimbabwe's tournament.

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West Indies captain Shimron Hetmyer said he was comfortable with his decision to not withdraw the appeal.

"I would say yes, cricket is a game of uncertainties. We've seen it happen in cricket before. It's not a big deal for us," Hetmyer said.

"It's probably not in the spirit of the game, but we’re happy to have won."

Zimbabwe captain Brandon Mavuta was visibly upset after the match but refused to comment specifically about the incident.

"We got so close and came apart at the end," he said.

"We fought right till the end. I don’t have much to say right now. No comment."

Zimbabwe coach Stephen Mangongo said: "I am disappointed with the way the game ended.

"I have debriefed the boys in the dressing room and they were all crying. We have explained that technically the run-out is legal.

"We left it to the last man and we should not have done that. It was a hard lesson and they have learnt it the hard way."

The incident drew immediate and heavy criticism from some of the biggest names in the sport, with Australia coach Darren Lehmann and New Zealand legend Stephen Fleming quick to tweet their disapproval.

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Lehmann and Fleming reacted quickly on Twitter

Australia opener David Warner chimed in that he was "really sad" about the way the game ended.

Former West Indies fast-bowler Ian Bishop, who was in commentary at the time, said the decision was made in accordance with the laws of the game.

"We've to leave the emotions aside," he said.

"It's in the law books, so we've to not get carried away.

"History of Mankad is such, it causes stigma. Future cricket matches have to kill this."

While legal, Mankading has long been viewed as an unsportsmanlike way to dismiss a batsman.

The term Mankad has been used for this kind of dismissal since Indian player Vinoo Mankad controversially ran out Australia's Bill Brown during a Test match in Sydney in 1947.

The most recent incident of Mankading at international level came in 2014 when England's Jos Buttler was dismissed by Sri Lanka's Sachithra Senanayake.

Buttler's dismissal in 2014

Buttler was one of several players to tweet his disapproval of Ngarava's dismissal tonight.

Law 42.15 of the Playing Conditions for the ICC U19 World Cup

The bowler is permitted, before releasing the ball and provided he has not completed his usual delivery swing, to deliberately attempt to run out the non-striker.

Whether the attempt is successful or not, the ball shall not count as one of the over. 

If the bowler fails in an attempt to run out the non-striker, the umpire shall call and signal Dead ball as soon possible.