Mushfiqur becomes just second Test batter to be dismissed for obstructing field

Thursday, 7 December 2023 01:35 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Mushfiqur Rahim was out obstructing the field in the 41st over of Bangladesh’s innings - BCB

Bangladesh’s Mushfiqur Rahim became only the second Test batter in history to be dismissed for obstructing the field on the opening day of the second Test against New Zealand in Dhaka.

Mushfiqur, 36, handled the ball as it bounced away from him while defending a delivery from Kyle Jamieson.

He was then given out following an appeal by New Zealand.

England’s Len Hutton is the only other batter to be dismissed for obstructing the field in Test cricket.

Hutton was given out during a match against South Africa at the Oval in 1951 after attempting to hit the ball after it rolled up his arm and went past him.

Dismissals in this manner were classified as ‘handling the ball’ previously, before a law change in 2017 brought them under the ‘obstructing the field’ umbrella.

Only seven Test batters in history had been given out for handling the ball before the 2017 rule change, according to ESPN’s Cricinfo.

Bangladesh were 104-4 at the time of Mushfiqur’s dismissal, but are hoping to secure their first ever Test series win over New Zealand after winning the first match of the two-Test series by 150 runs last week. (BBC)