Agha got run out by Miraz while trying to pick up the ball at the non-striker's end.
Controversy erupted during the second ODI between Pakistan and Bangladesh in Dhaka on Friday (March 13) after Salman Ali Agha was run-out by Mehidy Hasan Miraz, triggering the "spirit of Cricket debate".
The incident unfolded in the 39th over when the visitors were building a steady partnership as Agha and Mohammad Rizwan had added more than 100 runs for the fifth wicket after being put into bat.
On the fourth delivery of the over, Rizwan nudged Miraz's ball towards the right of the bowler. At this moment, the Bangladesh captain moved quickly to stop the ball with his shoe and collided with Agha, who was at the non-striker's end.
The ball stopped and Agha was outside his crease, but he appeared to bend down to pick up the ball and return it to Miraz instead. However, the bowler had other plans as he quickly collected the ball and hit the stumps at the non-striker’s end.
Miraz immediately went up for an appeal and the on-field umpire referred the decision to the TV umpire, who concluded that the ball was still in play and was not dead, declaring Agha out.
While walking back to the dugout after being dismissed for 64 from 62 balls, Agha was seen throwing his helmet and gloves in anger. He also exchanged words with Miraz after the appeal and continued voicing his frustration on his way to the pavilion.
Salman Ali Agha’s dismissal has led to Mehidy Hasan Miraz facing severe scrutiny on social media. In fact, former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif also slammed the Bangladesh skipper for his unsportsmanlike act.
"This is so not done. No desperation of getting wickets can justify this run out. That too from a captain. Youngsters please remember, even if the World Cup final is on the line never do what the Bangladesh skipper did. Sports without fair play is no sports," Kaif wrote on X.
During the post-match press conference, Agha addressed his controversial dismissal, stating that he would have done things differently.
"I think sportsman spirit has to be there. What he [Mehidy] has done is in the law. I think if he thinks it's right, it's right, but if you ask me my perspective, I would have done differently. I would have gone for sportsman spirit. We haven't done this [type of thing] previously, we would never do that in the future as well," Agha told reporters.
He explained, "Actually, the ball hit on my pad and then my bat. So I thought he can't get me run-out now, because the ball already hit on my pad and my bat. I was just trying to give him the ball back. I was not looking for the run or anything like that, but he already decided [to make the run-out]."
Pakistan won the second ODI by 128 runs (via DLS method) to level the three-match series 1-1. The third and final ODI will be held in Dhaka on March 15.