Mushfiqur Rahim became the first Bangladeshi to be sent for blocking the pitch in Test cricket today in Dhaka, during the post-lunch session of the second Test against New Zealand.
The incident happened in the 41st over of the game. Mushfiqur, who was batting on 35, fielded a delivery from bowler Kyle Jamieson and then whacked it with his right hand even though it was not moving towards the wickets.
The dismissal, previously known as ‘handling the ball,’ was reclassified as obstructing the pitch by the MCC in 2017.
He is the eighth Test cricketer to be dismissed for ball handling.
Interestingly, Mushfiq attempted to deflect the ball for the second time on the day, having already done so against Tim Southee on the second ball of the post-lunch session.
Mushfiq’s hands, however, did not make touch with the ball in that circumstance.
Mushfiq was the fifth Bangladeshi to be dismissed in the innings, ending a 56-run partnership with Shahadat Hossain Dipu.