Salman Agha calls out Mehidy Hasan for controversial run out: Sportsman spirit has to be there

Pakistan batter Salman Ali Agha has called out the lack of sportsmanship from Bangladesh captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz, following the former’s controversial run out during the second ODI between the two teams on Friday, March 13. Mehidy’s sneaky work at the non-striker’s end resulted in Agha’s run out, despite the Pakistan batter trying to pick up the ball and hand it over to the Bangladesh captain.

However, Mehidy reached for the ball before Agha and hit the stumps, with the Pakistan batter still out of his crease. As a result, the on-field umpire referred the decision to the third umpire, and Agha was eventually judged out. The decision expectedly didn’t go down well with the Pakistan batter, who seemed visibly angry at the entire turn of events and threw his gloves in frustration, while walking back towards the pavilion.

After the game, Agha acknowledged that whatever Mehidy did was within the laws of the game, but if he were in his place, he would’ve chosen to show some sportsmanship and wouldn’t have engaged in such an act.

"I think sportsman spirit has to be there. What he [Mehidy] has done is in the law. I think if he thinks it's right, it's right, but if you ask me my perspective, I would have done differently. I would have gone for sportsman spirit. We haven't done this [type of thing] previously, we would never do that in the future as well,” Agha said in the post-match press conference.

Agha also explained that he felt that the ball was dead since it hit his pad, and he was just trying to give the ball back to Mehidy with no intention to steal a run.

“Actually, the ball hit on my pad and then my bat. So I thought he can't get me run-out now, because the ball already hit on my pad and my bat. I was just trying to give him the ball back. I was not looking for the run or anything like that, but he already decided [to make the run-out],” he added.

The Pakistan batter also mentioned that he hadn’t reconciled with Mehidy yet, but would speak to him soon.

"I haven't yet, but don't worry, I'll find him,” said Agha.

No one came to play a charity game: Litton Das

Meanwhile, Bangladesh batter Litton Das has hit back at Agha, saying that they were not playing a charity league and the dismissal was well within the laws of the game.

“First of all, no one came here to play a charity league; this is an international match. Since the dismissal is within the rules, I don’t see from any angle that sportsmanship was compromised. Everyone is entitled to their own personal opinion. But as players, we felt that an out is an out,” Das told the broadcaster after the match.

Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif has also expressed his thoughts on the matter, urging the youngsters not to follow Mehidy's actions, even if it was a World Cup final.

“This is so not done. No desperation of getting wickets can justify this run out. That too from a captain. Youngsters please remember, even if the World Cup final is on the line never do what the Bangladesh skipper did. Sports without fair play is no sports,” wrote Kaif on his X account.

While the fixture was marred by the run-out controversy, Pakistan registered a commanding 128-run victory to level the series 1-1. Maaz Sadaqat was adjudged Player of the Match for his brilliant all-round performance, which saw him score a blistering 46-ball 75 and later scalp 3/23 with the ball in five overs.