Bangladesh Under-19 wicketkeeper Farid Hasan was dismissed for obstructing the field in a Youth ODI against South Africa at Harare on Saturday (July 26).
The incident occurred in the 13th over of Bangladesh's run chase of 128. South African left-arm seamer Jacob Basson, bowling from round the wicket, delivered a full-length ball targeting the stumps. Bangladesh U19 wicketkeeper Farid Hasan drove it straight back to Basson and, in his follow-through, walked a few steps down the pitch.
The bowler attempted a run-out throw at the stumps as Farid was out of his crease. However, Farid instinctively blocked the return throw with his bat. The South African fielders appealed for obstructing the field, but a bewildered Farid pointed at his pads, suggesting he acted instinctively to avoid injury.
What does the law say?
According to MCC law 37.1, which deals with "Obstructing the field" dismissal, "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."
One of the provisions under Law 37.2 states that a batter cannot be given out if the obstruction was to avoid injury.
In Farid's case, his gesture pointing at his pads apparently suggested he acted to avoid injury. However, Basson's throw appeared to be heading toward Farid's lower leg (well below the knee roll) before the bat intervened. The umpires seemingly concluded there was no legitimate injury risk, ruling him out for obstructing the field.
Bangladesh win a nail-biter
Basson’s 4-33, supported by Bayanda Majola’s 3-35, reduced Bangladesh to 109-9, still 20 runs short of their target. No. 7 Samiun Bashir (45 not out) held his nerve, smashing three fours and a six in just six deliveries. With just one run needed, he clipped a single off Dayalan Boyce (1-35) to seal victory in 28.4 overs.
Earlier, Al Fahad’s 4-32 had helped Bangladesh bowl out South Africa for 128. Jorich van Schalkwyk, who had recently made history as the first player to score a U19 ODI double-century, was dismissed for just 10 runs.
Match 2, Bangladesh Under-19 vs South Africa Under-19
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With this win, Bangladesh U19 continued their recent dominance over South Africa U19, having entered the Zimbabwe tri-series on the back of a bilateral series victory over South Africa – their third consecutive Youth ODI series win.
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