Mushfiqur Rahim given out for ‘obstructing the field’

Mushfiqur Rahim became the first Bangladesh batter to be dismissed obstructing the field during day one of the second Bangladesh vs New Zealand Test match in Mirpur on December 6. Rahim defended a Kyle Jamieson delivery under his eyes in the 41st over of Bangladesh’s first innings. However, as he realised the ball could have headed onto his stumps after bouncing near the crease, he shoved it away with his left glove. The New Zealand fielders appealed immediately for an obstructing the field dismissal. The on-field umpires came together before deciding to send it upstairs to the TV umpire for a review. The TV umpire adjudged that Rahim had willfully handled the ball and gave him out obstructing the field. With this decision, Mushfiqur became the first Bangladeshi batter to be out obstructing the field in international cricket across formats. In Test cricket, only Len Hutton had been out in this manner before. Mushfiqur’s was the fifth wicket to fall in the Bangladesh innings as he fell for 35, leaving the hosts stuttering at 104-5.