Amazing incident seen in ILT20 (Photo: Ashley Allen - CPL T20/Getty Images)

Nicholas Pooran-Max Holden: The match played between Desert Vipers and Mumbai Indians Emirates in the International League T20 on 9 December had an exciting end. The excitement of this match had increased further when, while chasing the target of 14 runs in the last 4 balls to win, Mumbai Indians Emirates batsman Rashid Khan had scored 12 runs in 3 balls. But, he was out on the fourth ball and Mumbai Indians had to face defeat by 1 run against Desert Vipers.

What effect did Puran's move have on Max Holden?

In the match, Desert Vipers came to bat first. The pair of Fakhar Zaman and Andries Goose started the innings. There was only a partnership of 39 runs between them when Andries retired hurt. After he returned to the dugout, Max Holden came out to bat. Max progressed his innings slowly. Meanwhile, from the other end, Desert Vipers also got a shock in the form of Fakhar Zaman.

Nicholas Puran's moves actually overpowered Max Holden. He got caught in their tricks. Puran applied his trick on Holden when he was playing after scoring 42 runs on 36 balls and the 16th over of Desert Vipers' innings was going on, which was being bowled by Rashid Khan. Holden wanted to go ahead and play the last ball of Rashid's over. But, he missed. Wicketkeeper Nicholas Puran also caught the ball. But despite having the chance, he did not stump Holden.

Tactics? Oneupmanship?

Nicholas Pooran chose not to stump Max Holden, but the Vipers had a trick up their sleeve as well, retiring the batter the very next ball.

What do you make of this?#DPWorldILT20 #AllInForCricket #WhereTheWorldPlays pic.twitter.com/CPK4D0H4lW

— International League T20 (@ILT20Official) December 9, 2025

...and this is how Holden retired

Not only the fans, even the commentators were surprised at this thinking of Nicholas Puran. But, the very next moment his strategy seemed to be working.

What do the rules of cricket say?

Now the question is, what does the rule say about this entire incident? According to the rules of cricket, the decision taken by the Vipers to retire Holden was absolutely right. Now this method has also become common in T20 format. If any team feels that its batsman standing at the crease is struggling then he can be called back. Same thing happened in the case of Max Holden.

Now due to the pressure created by Nicholas Puran with his moves, Mumbai Indians got the wicket of Max Holden in this ILT20 match but they were not successful in winning the match. In the end, the match was won by Desert Vipers, which was their fourth win in 4 matches.