In an astonishing turn of events during the second Test match between Bangladesh and New Zealand in Dhaka, Bangladesh’s veteran cricketer Mushfiqur Rahim etched his name into the annals of cricketing history. The 36-year-old batsman became only the second Test batter ever to be dismissed for obstructing the field. This rare occurrence unfolded on the opening day of the match, leaving cricket enthusiasts buzzing with excitement.
Mushfiqur Rahim, who holds the esteemed title of being Bangladesh’s record Test run-scorer with an impressive tally of 5667 runs, found himself in the center of this unique cricketing incident. It all happened when Mushfiqur was at the crease, facing a delivery from New Zealand’s bowler Kyle Jamieson. As fate would have it, the ball bounced away from him, creating an unforeseen dilemma.
In a split-second decision, Mushfiqur reached out to handle the ball. Little did he know that this instinctive move would lead to an appeal by the New Zealand side. The on-field umpires, after careful consideration, ruled in favor of New Zealand, declaring Mushfiqur Rahim out for obstructing the field.
Interestingly, the only other cricketer to have suffered a similar fate in Test cricket was England’s Len Hutton. This peculiar incident occurred during a match against South Africa at the Oval in 1951 when Hutton attempted to hit the ball after it had rolled up his arm and gone past him. Back in those days, such dismissals were categorized as ‘handling the ball.’ However, a pivotal law change in 2017 reclassified these incidents as ‘obstructing the field,’ placing them under a new umbrella of cricketing rules.
Prior to the 2017 rule change, only seven Test batters in the history of the sport had faced the ignominy of being given out for handling the ball, according to ESPN’s Cricinfo. This fact underscores the rarity of such dismissals in the grand tradition of Test cricket.
With Mushfiqur Rahim’s dismissal, Bangladesh faced a momentary setback in their quest for a historic Test series win over New Zealand. Having triumphed in the first match of the two-Test series by a substantial 150-run margin just a week ago, the Tigers were eager to maintain their momentum. However, they stumbled to 104-5, ultimately being bowled out for 172, as New Zealand’s spin duo of Mitchell Santner and Glenn Phillips displayed their prowess by taking three wickets each.
Notably, New Zealand’s response was far from ideal, as they found themselves languishing at 55-5, trailing by 117 runs. Bangladesh’s Mehidy Hasan and Taijul Islam stepped up to the plate, with Hasan claiming 3-17 and Islam chipping in with 2-29, ensuring that the contest remained finely balanced.
As cricket aficionados around the world ponder the intricacies of this rare dismissal, the second Test between Bangladesh and New Zealand promises to deliver more captivating moments in the days to come. Stay tuned for an exciting clash that showcases the unpredictable nature of the gentleman’s game.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Cricket History
What is the significance of Mushfiqur Rahim’s dismissal for obstructing the field?
Mushfiqur Rahim’s dismissal for obstructing the field is significant because it’s an extremely rare occurrence in Test cricket. He became only the second Test batter in history to be dismissed in this manner, highlighting the uniqueness of the event.
Who was the first Test batter dismissed for obstructing the field?
The first Test batter dismissed for obstructing the field was England’s Len Hutton. He faced this unusual dismissal during a match against South Africa at the Oval in 1951, making him the pioneer of such dismissals in Test cricket.
Why were such dismissals classified as ‘handling the ball’ previously?
Before 2017, incidents like Mushfiqur Rahim’s were categorized as ‘handling the ball.’ This classification was based on the player’s direct contact with the ball, even if it was unintentional. However, a change in cricketing rules in 2017 led to their reclassification as ‘obstructing the field’ to provide greater clarity in such situations.
How rare are dismissals for obstructing the field in Test cricket?
Dismissals for obstructing the field are exceedingly rare in the history of Test cricket. Before the rule change in 2017, only seven Test batters had been given out for handling the ball in this manner. This rarity underscores the extraordinary nature of Mushfiqur Rahim’s dismissal.
How did Mushfiqur Rahim’s dismissal impact the match between Bangladesh and New Zealand?
Mushfiqur Rahim’s dismissal had an immediate impact on the match. Bangladesh, aiming for their first-ever Test series win over New Zealand, faced a setback when they stumbled to 104-5 after his dismissal. Ultimately, they were bowled out for 172. However, New Zealand also struggled in their reply, falling to 55-5, making the match finely balanced.
Who were the key performers in the match after Mushfiqur Rahim’s dismissal?
Following Mushfiqur Rahim’s dismissal, spinners Mitchell Santner and Glenn Phillips played a crucial role for New Zealand, taking three wickets each as they bowled out Bangladesh for 172. In response, Mehidy Hasan and Taijul Islam of Bangladesh starred with the ball, with Hasan taking 3-17 and Islam claiming 2-29, ensuring that New Zealand faced a significant deficit in runs.
More about Cricket History
- ESPN Cricinfo: For historical cricket statistics and information.
- Len Hutton’s Obstructing the Field Dismissal: Details on Len Hutton’s obstructing the field dismissal in 1951.
- Cricket Rules: For a comprehensive understanding of cricket rules and law changes.
- Bangladesh Cricket: Official website for updates on Bangladesh cricket.
- New Zealand Cricket: Official website for New Zealand cricket news and updates.
