Last Updated on 1 month ago by Charbel Coorey
There is controversy in the ODI series between Bangladesh and Pakistan. Salman Agha was run out in unusual fashion by Bangladesh captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz in the second ODI in Mirpur, which left the Pakistan batter furious.
Pakistan were sitting pretty at 231/3 in the 39th over, with Agha (64) and Mohammad Rizwan (44) building on Maaz Sadaqat’s outstanding 46-ball 75. Rizwan hit the ball back towards the non-striker, and Agha and Miraz got into a bit of a tangle. With the ball still live, Agha then went to pick the ball up while still outside his crease, only to be beaten to the punch by Mehidy who then threw the ball at the stumps.
The decision was referred to the third umpire. Replays showed Agha well outside his ground, with Kumar Dharmasena stating “batsman is out of the ground at the time of the wickets break.”
Salman Agha run out: Fair or against the spirit of cricket? Fans have their say
The incident quickly went viral on social media. Fans have had their say, with some believing it is a fair dismissal within the rules, and others stating it is poor sportsmanship.
Argument: Fair dismissal
About two-and-a-half years ago, Bangladesh were involved in drama during the 2023 ODI World Cup. Shakib Al Hasan timed out Angelo Mathews – a decision that did not go down well in the cricketing fraternity, including then-bowling coach Allan Donald.
This time around, the debate is more 50/50. The view here is that Agha should not have attempted to pick the ball up while out of his ground.
“On the live camera shot, I thought this was naughty by Miraz. But seeing the side on replay, it was actually Salman Agha with the brain fade. You can’t be reaching to pick up the ball when you’re that far out of the non-striker’s crease and then cry spirit of cricket,” wrote one fan on X (formerly Twitter).
Argument: Poor sportsmanship & Agha initially attempted to get back in the crease
On the flip side, the argument is Agha initially attempted to get back in his crease, but was blocked by Mehidy getting to the ball. Given there was a tangle, fans believe that the Bangladesh captain was wrong to initiate the run out and go through with the appeal.
“Mehidy Hasan Miraz forcefully stopped Salman Ali Agha, as clearly seen in this picture. When a player is stopped like this, the umpire should take notice, and the player has the right to ask for it,” wrote one fan.
From 231/3, Pakistan collapsed to 274 all out. However, they started magnificently with the ball, reducing Bangladesh to 27/3 before lightning stopped play.
