In a peculiar turn of events on the opening day of the second Test against New Zealand, former captain Mushfiqur Rahim secured an unusual place in Bangladesh cricket history. The 36-year-old cricketer found himself becoming the first Bangladeshi batter to be declared out for ‘obstructing the field.’ The incident unfolded when Rahim, facing a delivery from New Zealand’s Kyle Jamieson in the 41st over, defended a rising ball. In an attempt to fend off a wide delivery outside the off stump, Rahim extended his right hand. The Black Caps promptly appealed, leading the on-field umpires to refer the matter to TV umpire Ahsan Raza, who ultimately ruled Rahim out.

This dismissal falls under Law 37.1.2, stating that a striker is out obstructing the field if, in the act of receiving the ball, they willfully strike the ball with a hand not holding the bat. The alteration in cricket laws in 2017 reclassified such dismissals from “handled the ball” to “obstructing the field.”

Notably, the last instance of a batter being given out ‘handling the ball’ was former England captain Michael Vaughan against India in 2001. Rahim, Bangladesh’s top-scorer in the match with his 35 off 83 balls, played a pivotal role despite the team being bundled out for 172 in 67 overs. The hosts had previously clinched victory in the first Test in Sylhet by 150 runs.