MCC criticises Salman Agha for bizarre run out against Bangladesh, backs Mehidy Hasan

The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has criticised Salman Agha while clarifying the controversial run-out involving the Pakistan batter during the second ODI against Bangladesh at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur. The MCC stressed that a batter should never attempt to pick up the ball without the fielding side’s consent.

The incident occurred in the 39th over of Pakistan’s innings when Bangladesh captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz, in his follow-through, stopped the ball with his boot and collided with Agha. Momentarily out of his crease, Agha appeared to bend down to return the ball instead of retreating. Miraz reacted quickly, picked it up, and under-armed it onto the stumps at the non-striker’s end.

Miraz appealed immediately, and after the decision was referred upstairs, the TV umpire ruled Agha out, confirming the ball was still in play and that he had not made his ground.

‘THERE IS NO CASE’

The MCC later stated that Agha was clearly out under the Laws, as he was outside his crease when the wicket was broken while the ball remained in play. It also noted that had Agha picked up the ball, Bangladesh would have been within their rights to appeal for Obstructing the Field.

“There is no case, therefore, to be made that this was Not out under Law, nor that the Law could be re-written to somehow make a situation like this Not out,” MCC said in a statement. "Under Laws, there is little that either umpire could have done differently. The non-striker was clearly out of his ground when the wicket was broken, and the ball was in play. That is out.”

"It is also worth pointing out that the non-striker had left his ground when the ball was in play and had just started to attempt to regain his ground when he collided with Mehidy. Furthermore, no batter should attempt to pick the ball up without the consent of the fielding side, and had he done so, he would have been at risk of an Obstructing the field dismissal. In retrospect, he would have been better using that time to attempt to regain his ground,” the MCC stated.

THE SPIRIT OF CRICKET DEBATE

After the match, Agha said he would not have done the same had he been in Miraz’s position, citing the Spirit of Cricket. On that point, the MCC said the decision ultimately rested with Bangladesh - they could either uphold the dismissal or withdraw the appeal.

It added that while Agha appeared to be trying to help the fielding side after the collision, the incident also made it harder for him to regain his crease.

"Yet many people have expressed sympathy for Agha and suggested that this dismissal was against the Spirit of Cricket.

"It certainly would have been possible for Mehidy, as Bangladesh captain, to withdraw his appeal. Agha clearly thought the ball was dead and was attempting to assist the fielding side after an unintentional collision which made it harder for him to regain his ground. The Laws allow a withdrawal for incidents where the batter is out in Law, but the fielding side feels that it would be better, within the Spirit of Cricket, to allow them to continue,” the MCC added.

Following his dismissal, Agha was seen throwing his gloves and helmet away in frustration, prompting match referee Neeyamur Rashid to charge him with abusing cricket equipment. He was subsequently reprimanded for his actions.

The offence was classified as a Level 1 breach under Article 2.2 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to the misuse or damage of cricket equipment, clothing, ground equipment, or fixtures during an international match.

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