Image Credit: Bangladesh Cricket Board NEW DELHI: The ‘spirit of cricket’ debate has resurfaced after the controversial dismissal of Salman Ali Agha by Mehidy Hasan Miraz during the second ODI between Pakistan National Cricket Team and Bangladesh National Cricket Team at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka.The incident took place in the 39th over of Pakistan’s innings when the visitors were in the midst of a steady recovery. Agha and Mohammad Rizwan put together a 109-run partnership for the fourth wicket after Pakistan lost the first three wickets. In the fourth over, bowled by Bangladesh captain Miraz, Rizwan nudged the ball gently down the ground. The ball rolled to Agha who, after backing up, came out of his crease at the non-striker’s end.
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As the ball hit his pads, Agha bent down to pick it up and appeared to hand it back. However, Miraz quickly collected the ball and cleared the bails while Agha was still outside the crease before appealing for a run-out.The on-field umpire referred the appeal to the third umpire, who ruled in Bangladesh’s favor and upheld the dismissal. The decision left Agha visibly frustrated as he returned to the pavilion, with television visuals of the Pakistani batter expressing his displeasure.The moment also sparked a brief exchange between Agha and Miraz on the field, while Rizwan was seen engaging in a discussion with the Bangladeshi players.Despite the controversy, Pakistan won the match by 128 runs using the DLS method. After the match, Agha reflected on the suspension and the circumstances surrounding it.“What he did is within the law. I think if he thinks it’s right, it’s right, but from my point of view, I would have done it differently. I would have followed the spirit of sportsmanship. We didn’t do such things before, we would never do it in the future,” Agha said.“Actually, the ball hit my pad and then my bat. So I thought he can’t get me a run now because the ball had already hit my pad and my bat. I was just trying to get the ball back to him. I wasn’t looking for a run or anything like that, but he had already decided to run it out,” he added.“It was just momentary things. If you ask me what I would have done, I would have done things differently. But it was everything, whatever happened after that, it was in that moment,” Agha said.When asked about the exchange between the two players during the incident, Agha admitted that neither side used “nice words”.“I don’t remember what I said and I don’t remember what he said. I’m sure I didn’t say nice things and I’m sure he didn’t say nice things either. But it was just hot so we’re fine,” he said.
