Dhaka: Senior Bangladesh batter Mushfiqur Rahim was dismissed in a bizarre fashion on the opening day of the second Test against New Zealand at Sylhet on Wednesday.
On a day when bowlers ruled the roost on a turning track, top-scorer Mushfiqur’s fighting knock of 35 off 83 deliveries was cut short after he handled the ball.
It was in the 41st over of the Bangladesh innings that Mushfiqur defended a rising delivery from New Zealand pacer Kyle Jamieson. In what looked to be reflex action, the right-hander pushed the ball away towards the off-side immediately after playing it. His action seemed to be to keep the ball away from the stumps, even though it was not headed towards the wickets.
As the bowler and other New Zealand fielders appealed for a dismissal, the on-field umpire sent it to the TV umpire who had a look and ruled Mushfiqur out ‘obstructing the field’, making him the first Bangladeshi cricketer to be dismissed in this fashion.
Watch the incident shared on X by live streaming platform Fancode:
Did Mushfiqur Rahim really need to do that? He’s been given out for obstructing the field! This one will be talked about for a while…
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.#BANvNZ pic.twitter.com/SC7IepKRTh— FanCode (@FanCode) December 6, 2023
The previous such dismissal in international was Zimbabwe’s Chamu Chibhabha, in an ODI against Afghanistan, in October 2015.
The laws of cricket strictly forbid a batsman from touching the ball with their hands or gloves, though they can use the bat or legs to push it away.
This rare mode of dismissal was previously categorised under ‘handled the ball’. From October 1, 2017, however, ‘handled the ball’ dismissal was integrated into ‘obstructing the field’ under Law 37.
The interpretation remains same, only the nomenclature in the scoreboard has changed.
India have been involved in a handful of ‘handled the ball’ incidents over the years in international cricket.
Following are instances in international matches featuring India:
* Mohinder Amarnath was ruled out ‘handled the ball’ in an ODI against Australia in February 1986
* West Indies’ Desmond was given out in a Test against India at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium in November 1983
* Australian captain Steve Waugh was dismissed ‘handled the ball’ in the Chennai Test against India in March 2001
* England skipper Michael Vaughan got marching orders in the Bengaluru Test versus India in December 2001.
