Mushfiqur Rahim Given Out For Obstructing Field: Who Are The Other Batters To Be Dismissed Handling The Ball In Tests?

Mushfiqur Rahim created unwanted history on Wednesday (December 6) after the Bangladesh batter was given out obstructing the field during the second Test against New Zealand at the Sher-E-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur.

The Bangladesh wicketkeeper-batter became only the first Bangladesh Men's batter to be dismissed for obstructing the field. He also became the first cricketer to be dismissed in this fashion since handling the ball was included within the ambit of obstructing the field.

Mushfiqur Rahim joins unwanted list of obstructing field

In the 41st over bowled by Kyle Jamieson, Musghfiqur defended the ball and extended his right hand to keep the ball away which looked to come out of instinct albeit the ball was far from the stumps.

New Zealand players, who were well within their rights, appealed and the on-field umpires sent the decision to the third umpire, who was satisfied after watching the replays that Mushfiqur stopped the ball deliberately and was given out.

The 36-year-old in fact tried to push the ball away earlier in the innings, but the ball was far from his reach. In the 41st over, he connected the ball in his hand to be sent back to the pavilion.

Earlier, this form of dismissal was considered as handling the ball, but from 2017 this has been included as part of the obstructing the field dismissal across all forms of the game.

Also, earlier a batter delibrately stopping the ball or changing his path when running between the wickets to stop the fielding side from a run out dismissal, was given out for obstructing the field.

What does the Obstructing the field in Cricket mean?

According to the ICC law, a batter is given out if he/she wilfully stop the ball with their hand when a bowler delivers the ball or gets in the way of a throw delibrately when the fielder has a shy at the stumps. The Laws of Cricket reads as follows:

37.1.1 Either batter is out Obstructing the field if, except in the circumstances of 37.2, and while the ball is in play, he/she wilfully attempts to obstruct or distract the fielding side by word or action.

37.1.2 The striker is out Obstructing the field if, except in the circumstances of 37.2, in the act of receiving a ball delivered by the bowler, he/she wilfully strikes the ball with a hand not holding the bat.

This will apply whether it is the first strike or a second or subsequent strike. The act of receiving the ball shall extend both to playing at the ball and to striking the ball more than once in defence of his/her wicket.

Which other player has been dismissed for Obstructing the field (handling the ball) since the change in law?

Tom Blundell was the first man in first-class cricket to be dismissed obstructing the field since the handled the ball rule was removed as a mode of dismissal three years ago.

Mushfiqur is the first batter to be dismissed for obstructing the field in Tests since the rule update in 2017. However, there have been seven batters, who have been given out 'handling the ball' in Men's Tests history. Here is a look at the list: