Pakistani all-rounder Salman Ali Agha has stressed the importance of sportsman spirit after his controversial run-out during the second ODI against Bangladesh. 

 

Speaking after the match, the Pakistani all-rounder said he would have handled the situation differently, even though the dismissal remained within the laws of the game.

 

“I can tell you what happened after that. I mean, I'm sure everyone has seen. But it's just the heat of the moment kind of stuff,” said Agha.

 

“If you ask me what I would have done? I would have done things differently. But it was everything that happened after that, it was the heat of the moment.”

 

Agha also highlighted the importance of sportsman spirit in such moments.

 

“Well, it is in the law. I'm someone who always wants to follow the law. But sometimes when it comes to sportsman spirit things, well, I think sportsman spirit has to be up there, no matter what the situation.”

 

He added that his approach would have been different if he were in the same position.

 

“What he has done, I think, if he thinks it's right, it's right. But if you ask me, my perspective, I would have done it differently. I would have gone for the sportsman spirit.”

 

The unusual moment took place during the second ODI of the three-match series at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Friday.

 

The incident happened in the 39th over of Pakistan’s innings when Bangladesh captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz delivered a flatter ball that Mohammad Rizwan gently pushed back towards the pitch.

 

The ball spun off the surface and rolled towards Agha at the non-striker’s end. The Pakistan all-rounder first tried to move away from its path. Miraz then stopped the ball with his right foot as it rolled towards him.

 

When the ball came to a halt, Agha bent down in an attempt to return it to the bowler. Miraz quickly collected the ball instead and broke the stumps, catching Agha outside his crease and completing the run-out.

 

The decision sparked visible frustration from Rizwan, who threw his gloves and helmet onto the ground while walking back to the pavilion.

 

Later in the post-match presentation, Miraz defended his action and explained that he reacted because the Pakistan batter stood outside the crease.

 

“He was away from the wicket, and I was just looking for the ball. If you miss, he would go for the run. So I was just thinking like that,” Miraz said.

 

Pakistan defeated Bangladesh by 128 runs under the DLS method, with the series now levelled at 1-1.