I would have gone for the spirit of sportsmanship, says Agha

Pakistan batsman Agha Salman said that he reacted in the heat of the moment after his run-out during Pakistan’s 128-run win against Bangladesh in the second ODI on Friday.

He, however, said he would have acted more sportingly if he found himself in Mehidy Miraz’s shoes in that scenario.

The main talking point from the game revolved around Agha’s run-out in the 39th over of the innings at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur.

A straight drive from Mohammad Rizwan, saw Agha fail to move out of the way as bowler Miraz tried to gather the delivery. Agha had not noticed that Miraz was sneaking behind him, trying to get the ball. Agha then proceeded to try and pick up the ball but Miraz, still vigilant and aware, snuck the ball away from just under Agha’s gloves and produced a direct hit with Agha strangely static outside the crease.

The dismissal gave rise to frustration on Agha’s part as angry words were exchanged while the batter was also seen throwing his gears into the ground near the boundary ropes on his way out.

“I can tell you what happened after that. I’m sure everyone has seen it, but it was just a "heat of the moment" kind of thing. If you ask me what I would have done, I would have handled it differently. However, everything that happened afterward was the heat of the moment,” Agha told reporters during the press conference after the match.

“Well, it is in the laws. I am someone who always wants to follow the law, but when it comes to the sportsman spirit, I think that has to be held higher, no matter the situation. Regarding what he did within the law, if he thinks it is right, that it's his choice. But if you ask for my perspective, I would have acted differently; I would have gone for the spirit of sportsmanship,” he said when asked if the run-out was within the spirit of the game.

There were angry exchanges with Litton Das too. Agha said he could not remember what was said.

“I can't remember what I was saying, and I can't remember what he was saying. I'm sure I didn't say nice things, and I'm really sure he didn't say nice things either. But it was just the heat of the moment. We are fine,” he said.

But Agha was certain things will be alright between him and Miraz.

“I haven't yet [talked to Miraz], but we will. Don't worry, we are fine,” he added.

Bangladesh spin coach Mushtaq Ahmed said that Miraz had done nothing wrong to run Agha out.

“It happened so quickly that we did not immediately understand what occurred. Miraz thought the batsman was outside the crease and was attempting to stop the ball. It seems the ball went straight to Miraz’s legs, and at the same time, the batsman was trying to pick the ball up and give it back to Miraz. 

"From my perspective, it was just a natural instinct for Miraz to look to pick the ball up and attempt a run-out because the batsman was outside his crease. I don't believe either party was intentionally in the wrong; the batsman tried to be helpful while Miraz was simply very focused on the game and saw an opportunity for a run-out,” Mushtaq told reporters during his post-match press conference