Mushfiqur given rare 'obstructing the field' out
Thursday, 7 December 2023
Mushfiqur Rahim faced an unusual dismissal during the ongoing Dhaka Test against New Zealand. After defending the ball, he pushed it with his gloves, leading the third umpire to rule him out, report agencies.
During the opening day of the second Test match between Bangladesh and New Zealand, held at Dhaka's Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Wednesday, Rahim faced a moment of lapse that led to his dismissal in a manner not seen in over two decades.
In what could only be described as a momentary lapse of reason, the seasoned wicketkeeper-batsman found himself at the center of a rare cricketing event. After defending a delivery from New Zealand's pacer Kyle Jamieson, Rahim inexplicably used his right hand, still donned with his batting glove, to swat the ball away. The peculiar aspect of this action was that the ball was not on a trajectory to hit the stumps, rendering his intervention unnecessary and ultimately, costly. The New Zealand fielding side, spotting the infringement, wasted no time in appealing. The on-field umpires conferred and decided to refer the decision to the third umpire. Upon review, it was clear that Rahim had indeed deliberately handled the ball, leading to his dismissal.
This dismissal marked Rahim as the first Bangladeshi cricketer to be given out for handling the ball, a method of dismissal that has become a rarity in the sport. Notably, this type of dismissal has been reclassified since October 1, 2017. Previously known as 'handled the ball', it is now considered 'obstructing the field' under Law 37 of the game. Despite the change in terminology, the consequence remains unchanged: a batsman found guilty of this act must leave the crease.
Rahim is the 8th batter in men's cricket to get dismissed by handling the ball and the first after Vaughan in 2001.
Seven other Test cricketers have been dismissed for having handled the ball.
England great Len Hutton was the first batter in Test cricket to be dismissed such way during his side England's game against South Africa in 1951.