There were strange scenes during Bangladesh’s first innings against New Zealand in the second test in Mirpur with batsman Mushfiqur Rahim given out for handling the ball.
Rahim was sent back to the pavilion by umpire Rod Tucker when he used his glove to push away the ball immediately after blocking a delivery from Kiwi quick Kyle Jamieson.
The New Zealand fielders immediately appealed and Rahim was given out – the first Bangladeshi batsman to be dismissed in this manner.
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The official reason for the dismissal was for “obstructing the field”, after a 2017 rule change. Previously, similar dismissals came under “handled the ball”.
According to Law 37.1.2, “The striker is out obstructing the field if, except in the circumstances of 37.2, in the act of receiving a ball delivered by the bowler, he/she wilfully strikes the ball with a hand not holding the bat. This will apply whether it is the first strike or a second or subsequent strike. The act of receiving the ball shall extend both to playing at the ball and to striking the ball more than once in defence of his/her wicket.”
Steve Waugh was once given out for handling the ball in 2001, as was England’s Michael Vaughan (also 2001).
But just once before in Test match history has a player been given out for obstructing the field, with England’s Leonard Hutton in 1951 the unfortunate victim of the rare dismissal.
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Rahim is likely to feel hard done by as the ball wasn’t going to hit the stumps, but commentators criticised him for his brain fade.
“A cricketer who has played over 80 Tests should know he can’t do that,” former Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal said in commentary. “Practice habit can make this happen. In the nets, batters often take the ball in hand and return it back to the bowler. Maybe Mushfiqur did it unconsciously and extended his hands. But this obviously can’t be an excuse.”
Earlier however, Rahim reached for the ball when playing a defensive shot which bounced back towards the slips cordon – but on that occasion he missed the ball.
Bangladesh were bowled out for 172 on the first day of the second Test against New Zealand, having won the first test by 150 runs. The Tigers are chasing a first-ever Test series win over the Black Caps in the two-match series.
There was more history on display, with Tim Southee picking up the remarkable figures of 1-0 off 5.2 overs.
It was the first time since 1986 that a player bowled at least five overs and finished a Test innings without conceding a run.
Mitchell Santner and Glenn Phillips took 3-65 and 3-31 respectively while Ajaz Patel picked up 2-54.