a Newcomer Anwar Ali became the fourth Pakistan player to be given out obstructing the field in a One-Day International. PHOTO: AFP
Anwar was declared out obstructing the field after he took off for a bye run in the 43rd over of the Pakistan innings in Port Elizabeth on Wednesday.
South Africa’s Quinton de Kock threw the ball to the non-striker’s end and it hit Anwar on the shoulder as he was attempting to complete the run.
The bowler Dale Steyn was heard on the stump mic complaining about Anwar running ‘straight down the pitch’ and he was given out on the basis of the umpire’s decision who declared that he had changed his direction while running.
The International Cricket Council’s (ICC) law on obstructing the field states that on appeal from the fielding team, if the umpire feels that a batsman, whilst running between the wickets, has significantly changed his direction without probable cause thereby obstructing a fielder’s attempt to run him out, the batsman should be given out obstructing the field.
The law is not straightforward and as per the rule a batsman can also be given out obstructing the field in circumstances where he has not significantly changed his direction.
Mohsin feels that the law needs to be reviewed and more importantly teams like South Africa need to keep the spirit of the game in mind.
“It seems that the South Africans resort to absolutely anything when the going gets tough,” Mohsin told The Express Tribune. “The appeal against Anwar could have been withdrawn. At present, the rule is also confusing”.
Another former Test opener, Shoaib Mohammad, also questioned Anwar’s dismissal.
“I don’t think that he deliberately changed his path while running the bye,” he said. “In the years gone by, the spirit of the game used to be paramount and we hardly saw such appeals.”
Published in The Express Tribune, November 29th, 2013.
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COMMENTS (5)
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That was rubbish runout. No way in the world it was deliberate obstruction.
He was running on straight without changing path. Decision was in bad taste. similarly Umar Akmal was clearly not out and the ball was a wide ball. Earlier at least two wide balls were not given by the empire. Even then Pakistan deservedly won. Congrats. team Pakistan.
I have heard Mohsin's interview and he was quite right that the Australians and South Africans are not good losers. They lose their temper during the games. Apart from them, the English players are better but their media is worst of all.
Does on earth 'spirit of the game' thing still persists apart from books and articles?
who on earth made this rule to hit the batsman instead of hitting stumps, this rule may injure a player seriously if batsman is hit by a fire powered throw while running in line of stumps without even intention to obstruct the field.