KEY POINTS
- Bangladesh captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz ran out Salman Agha as the batter attempted to return the ball, igniting a sportsmanship debate.
- Ramiz Raja questioned the spirit of the dismissal while Mohammad Hafeez directly called it ‘poor sportsmanship’ on social media.
- The Pakistan all-rounder, who scored 64, threw his gloves and helmet in disgust after being dismissed in controversial fashion.
- Pakistan’s competitive total of 274 was eclipsed by the heated debate over Miraz’s actions during the second ODI.
ISLAMABAD: Bangladesh skipper Mehidy Hasan Miraz found himself at the centre of a heated controversy on Friday after his decision to run out Pakistan all-rounder Salman Ali Agha in an unusual fashion during the second ODI at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium sparked widespread criticism from cricket lovers and former players on social media.
The bizarre dismissal occurred in the 38th over of the Pakistan innings. Miraz delivered a ball to Mohammad Rizwan, who played a defensive stroke. The ball spun and rolled gently towards Salman Agha, stationed at the non-striker’s end.
Crucial moment! Mehidy Hasan Miraz removes Salman Agha with a brilliant run-out. ⚡🏏#BCB #Cricket #Bangladesh #Pakistan #ODI pic.twitter.com/N0inKkZVwz
— Bangladesh Cricket (@BCBtigers) March 13, 2026
In a gesture often seen in cricket, Agha bent down to pick up the ball, seemingly intending to return it to the bowler. As he stood outside his crease, Miraz rushed forward, snatched the ball, and swiftly broke the stumps, leaving Agha stranded and run out for a well-compiled 64 off 62 balls.
The incident immediately triggered a discussion between the two players, with Agha visibly shocked and gesturing in disbelief. His frustration boiled over as he walked back to the pavilion, throwing his gloves and helmet to the ground in evident disgust.
While the dismissal was well within the laws of the game, the cricketing world was quick to question the spirit in which it was executed. Former Pakistan cricketer Ramiz Raja, on commentary duties during the clash, provided a balanced yet empathetic take on the incident.
“As far as the Laws were concerned, he was out, but sportsmanship? I’m afraid that got a massive hit.”
Mehidy Hasan Miraz criticised for controversial run-out of Salman Ali Agha, but was it against the spirit of cricket?https://t.co/AQkYGXawt7
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) March 13, 2026
“Within the technical rules, he was indeed run out, but in terms of sportsmanship, I’m afraid he got a massive blow. He was just about to pick up the ball and return it to the bowler, but the bowler saw a chance for a run out. You’ve got to feel for him,” Raja observed.
The criticism intensified when former Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez took to social media platform X to express his disappointment, directly calling out the Bangladesh captain.
Poor sportsmanship from captain Bangladesh Mehidy Hassan Miraz #PakvsBan pic.twitter.com/9Tk9RbItf3
— Mohammad Hafeez (@MHafeez22) March 13, 2026
“Poor sportsmanship from captain Bangladesh Mehidy Hassan Miraz,” Hafeez wrote, sparking a flood of reactions from fans who echoed similar sentiments.
Social media platforms were abuzz with cricket lovers debating the incident. While some defended Miraz, stating that players should be aware of their crease and that the laws permit such dismissals, a significant majority condemned the act as against the spirit of the game, especially considering Agha’s intent was merely to assist in returning the ball.
The incident somewhat overshadowed what had been a competitive day of cricket. Earlier, half-centuries from Maaz Sadaqat (75 off 46) and Salman Ali Agha himself had powered Pakistan to a formidable total of 274 before they were bowled out in 47.3 overs.
Miraz’s decision to field first initially backfired as openers Sahibzada Farhan and Maaz put on a blistering 103-run stand. Miraz did break the opening partnership and finished with two wickets, while Rishad Hossain was the pick of the bowlers with three scalps.
However, it is Miraz’s act of running out Agha that will be the lasting image from the day’s play, reigniting the age-old debate in cricket about the fine line between competitive ruthlessness and the unwritten laws of sportsmanship.
