MCC says Agha was ‘out’ under Laws

The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), the custodian of the Laws of Cricket, has clarified that Salman Ali Agha’s controversial run-out during the second ODI between Bangladesh and Pakistan in Mirpur last Friday was “out” under the Laws, while also acknowledging the debate surrounding the spirit of the game.

The incident, which sparked widespread discussion, occurred when Pakistan’s Mohammad Rizwan played a delivery towards mid-on, and Bangladesh skipper Mehidy Hasan Miraz moved to stop the ball, colliding with non-striker Salman Ali Agha in the process.

After initially stopping the ball, Miraz reacted quickly to break the stumps with Agha well out of his ground. On appeal, the third umpire ruled the batter run out – a decision MCC says was fully in line with the Laws.

“Under the Laws, there is little that either umpire could have done differently. The non-striker was clearly out of his ground when the wicket was broken, and the ball was in play. That is out,” MCC said in a statement.

Addressing suggestions that the ball should have been deemed dead, MCC dismissed the notion, explaining that collisions do not render the ball dead and that such an interpretation could lead to players deliberately seeking contact in advantageous situations.

The club also pointed out that Agha’s actions contributed to the dismissal, noting that the non-striker had left his ground while the ball was still in play and attempted to pick it up -- something a batter is not permitted to do without the fielding side’s consent. In doing so, he also risked being dismissed for obstructing the field.

MCC further clarified that even under the updated Laws, set to come into effect in October, the outcome would likely remain unchanged, as the ball cannot be considered finally settled if a fielder is actively attempting a run-out.

While firmly backing the decision under the Laws, MCC acknowledged the debate over the ‘spirit of cricket’. It noted that Miraz, as Bangladesh captain, had the option to withdraw the appeal, especially given that Agha appeared to assume the ball was dead following the collision and was attempting to assist the fielding side.

“The Laws allow a withdrawal for incidents where the batter is out in Law, but the fielding side feels that it would be better, within the Spirit of Cricket, to allow them to continue,” the statement added.

Despite the differing views on sportsmanship, MCC made it clear that there was no basis within the Laws to overturn the decision or reinterpret the incident as not out.