Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) criticized Salman Agha while clarifying Pakistan’s controversial batting controversy during the second ODI against Bangladesh at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur. The MCC emphasized that a batsman should never attempt to lift the ball without the consent of the playing side.
The incident occurred in the 39th over of Pakistan’s innings when Bangladesh captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz stopped the ball with his boot on his drive and collided with Agha. Agha appeared to duck momentarily out of his crease to return the ball instead of retreating. Miraz reacted quickly, picking him up and underarming him onto the stumps at the non-striker’s end.
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Miraz immediately appealed, and after the decision was brought up, the TV umpire sent Agha off, confirming that the ball was still in play and that it had not entered the field.
‘THERE IS NO CASE’
The MCC later stated that Agha was clearly offside as he was outside his crease when the wicket was broken while the ball remained in play. It also noted that if Agha had picked up the ball, Bangladesh would have had the right to appeal for Obstructing the Field.
“There is therefore no case that this is not in accordance with the law, nor that the law can be rewritten to exclude a situation such as this,” the MCC said in a statement. “There is little under the law that any umpire can do differently. The non-striker was clearly out of his country when the goal was breached and the ball was in play. That’s out.”
“It is also worth noting that the non-striker had left his pitch while the ball was in play and was just starting to try to regain his position when he collided with Mehidy. Furthermore, no batsman should attempt to pick up the ball without the consent of the fielding side and if he did so he would face dismissal,” Mgaing said.
SPIRIT OF CRICKET DEBATE
After the match, Agha said he wouldn’t have done the same if he was in Miraz’s position, referring to the Spirit of Cricket. At this point, the MCC said the decision ultimately rested with Bangladesh – they could either uphold the dismissal or withdraw the appeal.
He added that although Agha appeared to be trying to help the fielding team after the collision, the incident also made it difficult for him to regain his crease.
“Nevertheless, many people expressed sympathy for Agha and suggested that this dismissal was against the Spirit of Cricket.
“It would certainly be possible for Mehidy, as Bangladesh captain, to withdraw his appeal. Agha clearly thought the ball was dead and after an inadvertent collision was trying to assist the fielding side, which made it difficult for him to regain position. The laws allow for withdrawals for incidents where the batsman is offside, but the fielding side feel it would be better to add Cricket to the Ghost.”
After his dismissal, Agha was seen throwing away his gloves and helmet in frustration, prompting match referee Neeyamur Rashid to charge him with misuse of cricket equipment. He was subsequently reprimanded for his actions.
The offense was classified as a Level 1 breach under Article 2.2 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which refers to the misuse or damage of cricket equipment, clothing, ground equipment or fixtures during an international match.
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Issued by:
sabyasachi chowdhury
Published on:
17 March 2026 18:57 IST
