A controversial incident occurred in the 39th over of Pakistan’s innings when Salman Agha was run out by Mehidy Hasan, leaving the Pakistan batter miffed. After Mohammad Rizwan pushed the ball down the ground, it travelled towards Agha at the non-striker’s end. The spinner moved forward to collect it, but the two briefly got tangled while Mehidy attempted to gather the ball.
With Agha still outside the crease, both tried to pick up the ball. It seemed as if the Pakistan captain’s intention was to return the ball to Mehidy, who instead pipped Agha to the post and quickly turned to break the stumps with an underarm flick.
Agha immediately threw his arms up in frustration as on-field umpire Tanvir Ahmed referred the decision upstairs following Bangladesh’s appeal. Kumar Dharmasena, the third umpire, adjudged the batter out after confirming that Agha was indeed outside the crease when the zing bails came to light.
The dismissal ended a 109-run fourth-wicket partnership between Agha and Rizwan that had steadied Pakistan after they lost three wickets for 18 runs following a 103-run opening partnership. Agha departed for 64 off 62 balls.
He said, “It is within the law and I’m someone who always wants to follow the law,” he said. “But when we talk about sportsman spirit, I think that should be up there no matter what the situation. According to the law what he has done is fine, and if he thinks it is right then it is right. But from my perspective, I would have done things differently. I would have gone for sportsman spirit.”
