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A bizarre incident at the ongoing ICC Men’s U19 Cricket World Cup in South Africa has sparked a huge controversy as England U19’s Hamza Shaikh was controversially given out after him handing the ball to the Zimbabwe U19 wicketkeeper was categorised as an ‘obstructing the field’ dismissal.
When the incident occurred, England were 78-2 in the 17th over of the Super Six match in Potchefstroom. Ryan Simbi’s delivery was played but missed by Shaikh, causing the ball to strike his body and land at his feet directly in front of the stumps.
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Before keeper Ryan Kamwemba picked up the ball, the Zimbabwean fielders made a quiet appeal for leg before wicket.
Shaikh signaled to Kamweba that he would retrieve the ball before he moved to throw it to the keeper, gently dismissing it from his grasp. Kamweba looked up at the umpire as Shaikh picked up the ball, raising his arms above his head in an apparent plea.
Zimbabwe appealed after Shaikh made this gesture, claiming he did so without seeking the wicketkeeper’s consent.
England U19 batter Hamza Shaikh was given out obstructing the field 😳pic.twitter.com/QLK93LXN2i
— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) February 3, 2024
MORE: ICC U19 World Cup 2024 – Full schedule, squads, fixtures, and results
What do the laws of cricket state?
Law 37 of the Marylebone Cricket Club’s (MCC) Laws of Cricket refers to ‘obstructing the field.’ According to a clause in the Law:
37.4 Returning the ball to a fielder
Either batter is out Obstructing the field if, at any time while the ball is in play and, without the consent of a fielder, he/she uses the bat or any part of his/her person to return the ball to any fielder.
Shaikh was out according to this interpretation of the rules, despite the fact that the batter seemed to be trying to help Kamwemba by tossing him the ball.
However, former England bowler Steve Harmison was in disagreement with the decision.
“If you are getting given out for that, that’s it, the game’s gone,” said Harmison while commentating for talkSPORT. “It really has. How can an umpire give that out?”
How have the fans reacted to the Hamza Shaikh dismissal?
A lot of fans have expressed how shocked they were with the decision, defending Shaikh’s actions that led to his dismissal.
One user named Mark Weatherall tweeted on X, “Ridiculous dismissal for ‘Obstructing the field’ at #U19WorldCup – picking up a stationary ball and chucking it to the keeper! No common sense. Embarrassing for all involved, umpires included.”
Ridiculous dismissal for ‘Obstructing the field’ at #U19WorldCup – picking up a stationary ball and chucking it to the keeper! No common sense. Embarrassing for all involved, umpires included pic.twitter.com/t1oXgpjkzp
— Mark Weatherall (@weatherallmw) February 3, 2024
Another user claimed, “An unbelievable decision in my opinion, nothing wrong with Hamza’s actions here, feel for the young lad.”
An unbelievable decision in my opinion, nothing wrong with Hamza’s actions here, feel for the young lad. 😕#U19WorldCup2024
U19 Cricket World Cup: England’s Hamza Shaikh falls to controversial obstructing the field dismissal | Cricket News | Sky Sports https://t.co/anHripd8IK— Richard Briggs 🦅❤️💙 (@Rich789) February 3, 2024
On the other hand, there were a few fans who defended Zimbabwe.
An account named Cric Top Class tweeted, “Now ppl will start abusing Zimbabwe U19 captain & WK. Hamza Shaikh took the ball and gave it to the keeper WITHOUT THE CONSENT of any fielder. As per MCC Rules it is out and should be given out. Players are here to win not to show sportsman spirit.”
Now ppl will start abusing Zimbabwe U19 captain & WK. Hamza Shaikh took the ball and gave it to the keeper WITHOUT THE CONSENT of any fielder. As per MCC Rules it is out and should be given out. Players are here to win not to show sportsman spirit.#ENGU19vZIMU19
— Cric Top Class (@crictopclass) February 3, 2024
The entire incident and the manner of Shaikh’s dismissal will surely be a hot topic that will be discussed by cricket pundits, commentators, players, and fans alike in the days to come.
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