Exclusive Club: Mushfiqur Rahim's Bizarre Dismissal

Bangladesh cricketer Mushfiqur Rahim has made headlines after becoming the first Test player in over two decades to be given out for handling the ball. The incident occurred during his side's first Test against New Zealand in Mirpur, when Rahim flicked the ball away after playing a defensive stroke against Kyle Jamieson. This type of dismissal has not been seen in Test cricket since former England captain Michael Vaughan fell foul of the rule in 2001.

Appeal and Controversy

The dismissal of Mushfiqur Rahim came as a surprise to many. The rebound did not appear to be heading towards the stumps when he intervened, but the Black Caps immediately appealed, having noticed a similar action by Rahim in a previous over. The on-field umpires deferred the decision to the TV official, who ultimately ruled Rahim out for 'obstructing the field'. This ruling came as a result of a 2017 tweak to the laws of the game, which removed the 'handled ball' mode of dismissal.

Support from Michael Vaughan

Former England captain Michael Vaughan extended his support to Mushfiqur Rahim, welcoming him to the exclusive club of players dismissed for handling the ball. Vaughan, who himself fell victim to this method of dismissal in 2001, expressed solidarity with Rahim on X (formerly Twitter). He also shared a clip of the incident, stating that it was "easily done".

A Rare Occurrence

Mushfiqur Rahim's dismissal for handling the ball is a rare occurrence in Test cricket. Since 1951, only Sir Len Hutton and Michael Vaughan have been given out for obstructing the field. Prior to the 2017 rule change, only seven Test players had ever been dismissed for handling the ball.

An Instinctive Action

Rahim's teammate Mehidy Hasan Miraz defended his actions, suggesting that the handling of the ball was instinctive. According to ESPN Cricinfo, Miraz stated that it happened in the flow of the game and Rahim didn't do it intentionally. He attributed it to split-second decision-making and the various thoughts that run through a player's mind during a match.

Overall, Rahim's dismissal for handling the ball has created quite a buzz in the cricketing world. It serves as a reminder that even the most experienced players can be caught up in unusual and unexpected moments during a match.