ICC umpire says Axar Patel's reversed wide call against Japan was correct

An ICC umpire told The Indian Express the wide call against Axar Patel was reversed correctly under the laws. Alexander Shirai-Patmore tried a reverse sweep to a ball down the leg side that was initially signalled wide. The umpires conferred and overturned it.

Once a batter attempts a reverse sweep or switch hit, the umpire explained, both sides of the wicket become the off side for judging wides. The ball has to pass outside the 17-inch mark on either side to be called wide. Shirai-Patmore had already committed to the shot when the ball went past him, so the original signal was wrong.

India captain Shreyas Iyer spoke to square-leg umpire Chris Brown after Axar and Sanju Samson questioned the call. Japan needed four from the last ball and managed only a leg bye, falling short by two.