Mehidy Hasan Miraz controversial run-out sparks sportsmanship debate in ODI

Senior Pakistani cricketer Salman Ali Agha expressed his ire over a controversial run-out dismissal during Friday’s One-Day International (ODI) in Dhaka between Pakistan and Bangladesh. The incident occurred when Mehidy Hasan Miraz, the Bangladeshi captain, ended his innings with an unexpected decision to collect the ball from behind Agha at non-striker’s end, leading to a controversial run-out of Mohammad Rizwan.

Agha recounted how he bent down in attempt to return the ball to the bowler. Mehidy instead circled around and threw down the stumps, triggering discussions about sportsmanship in cricket and drawing parallels with the 2023 Ashes controversy where Australian Alex Carey had run out England’s Jonny Bairstow at Lord’s.

Agha told reporters afterwards that “sportsman spirit has to be there,” but expressed his own stance on the matter. “I think if he thinks it’s right, it’s right,” he said, though he would have preferred a different approach. Agha initially reacted angrily by throwing down his gloves and helmet during the outburst, but later described it as being in the moment.

In this instance, Pakistan’s team secured victory with an impressive 128-run triumph over Bangladesh. The second ODI ended under rain-affected conditions, setting up a third match scheduled for Sunday. The series remains level at one win apiece between the two teams.