In a bizarre turn of events during the opening day of the second Bangladesh vs New Zealand Test, former captain Mushfiqur Rahim became the first Bangladeshi batter to be dismissed for “obstructing the field.
How did Mushfiqur Rahim got dismissed?
“The incident occurred in the 41st over when Rahim, facing New Zealand quick Kyle Jamieson, defended a rising delivery. However, instead of letting the ball go, he extended his right hand to seemingly prevent it from bouncing further away from him. The New Zealand fielders immediately appealed, and the on-field umpires referred the decision to the TV umpire.
After a review, TV umpire Ahsan Raza ruled Rahim out, citing Law 37.1.2. This law states that “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 willfully strikes the ball with a hand not holding the bat.” This applies regardless of whether it is the first or a subsequent strike.
Controviersial dismissals
Prior to 2017, such dismissals were classified as “handled the ball.” However, a change in the laws brought them under the category of “obstructing the field.” Notably, former England captain Michael Vaughan was the last batter to be dismissed for “handling the ball,” which occurred against India in 2001.
Rahim’s unfortunate dismissal came when he was Bangladesh’s top scorer with 35 runs off 83 balls. His departure contributed to the hosts being bundled out for 172 within 67 overs.
With Bangladesh having won the first Test in Sylhet by 150 runs, the fate of this second Test hangs in the balance.
