This TV grab shows the ball about to be pitched on its way to the stumps, at the middle of which Pakistan's Mohammad Nawaz backed away from playing the delivery from Mahmudullah in the third T20I in Mirpur Monday
Minhaz Uddin Khan
Publish : 23 Nov 2021, 08:08 AMUpdate : 28 Dec 2021, 04:56 PM
Bangladesh T20I captain Mahmudullah brushed off the controversies which took place in the last over of the Pakistan chase in the third and final game of the series at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium Monday.
Bangladesh conceded a five-wicket defeat in the game but this had come on the back of nail-biting events.
Going into the last over, Bangladesh needed to defend eight runs.
Off-spinner Mahmudullah brought himself to the bowling attack for the first time in the game and almost pulled off the tie.
With set batsman Haider Ali in the middle alongside Sarfaraz Ahmed, the first ball of the over went for a dot while in the next two deliveries both the batters were dismissed to put Mahmudullah on a hat-trick.
Mahmudullah’s third ball went for a six as new batter Iftikhar Ahmed swung it over the bowler’s head.
Mahmudullah bounced back hard in the next ball and removed Iftikhar – Bangladesh now needed to defend two off the last ball of the game.
At this point drama triggered between the two teams as Pakistan batter Mohammad Nawaz backed away from strike shouldering his arms.
It was a straight ball from Mahmudullah that hit the stumps but it was bowled from well behind the umpire.
Mahmudullah had a word with Nawaz, asking him something.
Mahmudullah later said he was satisfied with the answer coming both from Nawaz and the on-field umpire.
Bangladesh wicket-keeper Nurul Hasan was also involved in the conversation, which ended peacefully.
The drama continued as Mahmudullah pulled out from releasing the re-delivery of the last ball in the very last moment.
Pakistan however, had the last smile as Nawaz held on to his nerve, striking a boundary and denying Bangladesh a rare winning moment amid the shunned packed upper tiers at SBNCS.
According to the rules of the game, before a delivery is pitched a batsman might stop a bowler in his bowling action if the former feels discomfort.
But it was seen in the replays that Nawaz had actually shied away from the delivery only after it had bounced once and was in the trajectory of the stumps.
The on-field umpire signaled it a dead ball.
In these instances, the umpire's call is deemed to be the final official decision.
Mahmudullah speaking on the event following the game said, “The conversation with the umpire was he [Nawaz] moved at the very last moment. So, I asked the umpire if it was a fair ball. Nothing more than that.”
“Umpire's call is final and we do respect that,” Mahmudullah added.
The cricket fraternity is abuzz with discussions on this issue, both for and against.
Many fans are saying Mahmudullah could have done without the sporting attitude at a time when the team are on a losing streak.
Others are questioning why the captain refrained himself from appealing for the dismissal.
While the rest are praising Mahmudullah for his sporting spirit in the face of adversity.
Bangladesh with the series defeat have now lost eight matches in a row in the format – including the five in the Super 12 stage of the recently concluded T20 World Cup.
Bangladesh had gone into the world event with series wins at home against Australia and New Zealand.
Bangladesh in the series against Pakistan played a young team.
Opener Tamim Iqbal has kept himself away from the format and this time they missed out Shakib al Hasan due to injury and veteran batsman Mushfiqur Rahim over selection policy.
“I think the confidence level would have been better if we had won two of three games. The dressing room was very lively during the series against Australia and New Zealand. Of course losing matches does hurt the players and doubts are created. I think the players did try their best and gave good effort in the middle unfortunately the result did not come our way,” said Mahmudullah.
“There are a lot of fresh players in the team this time. Saif [Hasan] had his debut, Shahidul [Islam] made his debut [Monday] and bowled well. It was a good opportunity for the youngsters to make a mark. Probably it will take a bit of time as T20 format is not easy. I hope they will manage it in days to come and perform for the team,” the all-rounder explained.
Was it a ‘dead ball’?
Bangladesh T20I captain Mahmudullah brushed off the controversies which took place in the last over of the Pakistan chase in the third and final game of the series at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium Monday.
Bangladesh conceded a five-wicket defeat in the game but this had come on the back of nail-biting events.
Going into the last over, Bangladesh needed to defend eight runs.
Off-spinner Mahmudullah brought himself to the bowling attack for the first time in the game and almost pulled off the tie.
With set batsman Haider Ali in the middle alongside Sarfaraz Ahmed, the first ball of the over went for a dot while in the next two deliveries both the batters were dismissed to put Mahmudullah on a hat-trick.
Mahmudullah’s third ball went for a six as new batter Iftikhar Ahmed swung it over the bowler’s head.
Mahmudullah bounced back hard in the next ball and removed Iftikhar – Bangladesh now needed to defend two off the last ball of the game.
At this point drama triggered between the two teams as Pakistan batter Mohammad Nawaz backed away from strike shouldering his arms.
It was a straight ball from Mahmudullah that hit the stumps but it was bowled from well behind the umpire.
Mahmudullah had a word with Nawaz, asking him something.
Mahmudullah later said he was satisfied with the answer coming both from Nawaz and the on-field umpire.
Bangladesh wicket-keeper Nurul Hasan was also involved in the conversation, which ended peacefully.
The drama continued as Mahmudullah pulled out from releasing the re-delivery of the last ball in the very last moment.
Pakistan however, had the last smile as Nawaz held on to his nerve, striking a boundary and denying Bangladesh a rare winning moment amid the shunned packed upper tiers at SBNCS.
According to the rules of the game, before a delivery is pitched a batsman might stop a bowler in his bowling action if the former feels discomfort.
But it was seen in the replays that Nawaz had actually shied away from the delivery only after it had bounced once and was in the trajectory of the stumps.
The on-field umpire signaled it a dead ball.
In these instances, the umpire's call is deemed to be the final official decision.
Mahmudullah speaking on the event following the game said, “The conversation with the umpire was he [Nawaz] moved at the very last moment. So, I asked the umpire if it was a fair ball. Nothing more than that.”
“Umpire's call is final and we do respect that,” Mahmudullah added.
The cricket fraternity is abuzz with discussions on this issue, both for and against.
Many fans are saying Mahmudullah could have done without the sporting attitude at a time when the team are on a losing streak.
Others are questioning why the captain refrained himself from appealing for the dismissal.
While the rest are praising Mahmudullah for his sporting spirit in the face of adversity.
Bangladesh with the series defeat have now lost eight matches in a row in the format – including the five in the Super 12 stage of the recently concluded T20 World Cup.
Bangladesh had gone into the world event with series wins at home against Australia and New Zealand.
Bangladesh in the series against Pakistan played a young team.
Opener Tamim Iqbal has kept himself away from the format and this time they missed out Shakib al Hasan due to injury and veteran batsman Mushfiqur Rahim over selection policy.
“I think the confidence level would have been better if we had won two of three games. The dressing room was very lively during the series against Australia and New Zealand. Of course losing matches does hurt the players and doubts are created. I think the players did try their best and gave good effort in the middle unfortunately the result did not come our way,” said Mahmudullah.
“There are a lot of fresh players in the team this time. Saif [Hasan] had his debut, Shahidul [Islam] made his debut [Monday] and bowled well. It was a good opportunity for the youngsters to make a mark. Probably it will take a bit of time as T20 format is not easy. I hope they will manage it in days to come and perform for the team,” the all-rounder explained.
Topics: