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The ICC Under 19 World Cup 2026 final at Harare Sports Club reached its most intense moment when the England team believed they had caught a ball, but the umpire declared Vihaan Malhotra not out.

The 28.1 over bowled by Farhan Ahmed produced a situation that caused England players to show their confusion while they debated the situation and showed their frustration.

Farhan Ahmed bowled a shorter delivery that held a bit on the pitch. Vihaan Malhotra stayed back and tried to punch the ball straight. The batter did not hit the ball properly because he struck it from the inner section of his bat.

The ball looped back towards the bowler. Farhan quickly dove to his left and caught the ball with both hands. He even tumbled while completing the action, which initially made it look like a fair catch.

The on-field umpires sent the decision upstairs to the third umpire to check whether the catch was clean.

The review showed multiple camera angles. Some angles showed the ball appeared to be touching the ground. The most critical moment occurred after Farhan completed the dive. While getting up, he was clearly seen pressing the ball onto the ground. This became the turning point of the decision.

Here's the rule which made the Third Umpire to declare it as a Not Out.

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According to Law 33.3 - Making a Catch:

The act of making a catch shall start from the time when the ball first comes into contact with a fielder’s person and shall end when a fielder obtains complete control over both the ball and his own movement.

In order to complete a catch a fielder must obtain complete ball control while preventing any part of the ball from touching the ground.

Farhan Ahmed showed complete control during the entire process but he failed to maintain full control. When he stood up after the dive he pressed the ball against the ground. According to the law, the catch required complete control but he failed to meet that requirement.

The third umpire decided to support the batter, which led to Vihaan Malhotra receiving not out status.

The England players expressed their dissatisfaction with the umpire decision through their discussions about the call but the umpire maintained his original ruling.