After a ‘Timed out’ drama, the ongoing BPL has now witnessed an obstructing the field dismissal as Mahedi Hasan of Rangpur Riders was given out in such fashion during their dramatic win against defending champions Fortune Barishal.
The incident took place in the 19th over, during Rangpur’s chase of 197 runs, when Mahedi chipped one back to the bowler, Jahandad Khan.
Nurul Hasan, the non-striker, was running for a single and collided with the bowler—who ultimately failed to grab the chance. Barishal fielders, including Jahandad, appealed for obstructing the field.
After seeing the replay, TV umpire Tanvir Ahmed gave out, and Mahedi was the batter to go, and that caused confusion as it was Nurul who caused the obstruction.
However, the umpires got it right. According to the 37.3.1 article of the laws of cricket, ‘If the delivery is not a no ball, the striker is out obstructing the field if wilful obstruction or distraction by either batter prevents the striker from being out caught.’
However, a further article states that if an obstruction or distraction takes place from a no ball, then the batter who caused the obstruction or distraction will be out obstructing the field.
In this case, as it was a legitimate delivery, Mahedi was the batter to be dismissed. The batter, who caused the obstruction, Nurul, then played a blinder to pull off 30 runs in the final over, needing 26.
There was another incident after the match that created a buzz. Tamim Iqbal, the Barishal captain who was off the field during the last over due to an injury, was spotted animatedly rushing towards someone—presumably from the Rangpur camp.
But two representatives from either side in the post-match press conference, the batting coach of Barishal, Nafees Iqbal, and the Rangpur captain, Nurul, couldn’t enlighten the reporters about the incident.
‘I didn’t watch it closely,’ said Nurul after the match. ‘After going back, I could understand.’
Nafees said, ‘I’m not sure what happened. Things got a bit animated.’
‘Normally after losing, especially in such matches, emotions get carried out. It’s nothing serious. Of course something was said, but nothing serious,’ added Tamim’s elder brother Nafees.
