ICC deems Steve Smith's controversial catch 'legal'

In connection with the Steven Smith catch to dismiss Fawad Alam in the (ongoing series) third One-Day International (ODI) between Australia and Pakistan at Abu Dhabi a major controversy erupted as over the collection of the catch. The International Cricket Council (ICC) clarified the ruling relating to Law 41.8 which led to Alam's dismissal. Match grabs clearly show Smith had moved from first-slip towards leg-slip to take that catch as Alam shaped up to play it. The International Cricket Council (ICC) issued a clarification in this regard and backed the umpires, saying they were right in giving it out. 

Steve Smith's catch https://t.co/W4pfYwLeIR is legal as per ICC Playing Conditions. And shows how clued in Australia is. Is it ethical?

— G Rajaraman (@G_Rajaraman) October 13, 2014

In a press release, the ICC said the law was as follows: “As long as the movement of a close catching fielder is in response to the striker’s actions (the shot he/she is about to play or shaping to play), then movement is permitted before the ball reaches the striker. On the day, if umpires believe any form of significant movement is unfair (in an attempt to deceive the batsman), then the Law still applies.”