The cricket law behind Bangladesh's last ball drama against Zimbabwe
The final ball of the ICC World T20 match between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe saw unprecedented drama. Zimbabwe required 5 off 1 delivery, and Blessing Muzarabani swung his bat only to hit thin air. Nurul Hasan Sohan whipped the bails off and Bangladesh celebrated a hard earned win. Players shook hands and left the field, umpires did too, but third umpire Chriss Gaffney suddenly appeared with a message to stand by.
Replays showed Nurul Hasan Sohan taking the ball into his gloves just in front of the stumps. The big screen said "Not Out", followed by "No Ball".
Well, why?
According to Law 27.3.1 of the MCC Laws of Cricket, "The wicket-keeper shall remain wholly behind the wicket at the striker's end from the moment the ball comes into play until a ball delivered by the bowler touches the bat or person of the striker or passes the wicket at the striker's end or the striker attempts a run."
Law 27.3.2 states, "In the event of the wicket-keeper contravening this Law, the striker's end umpire shall call and signal No ball as soon as applicable after the delivery of the ball."
Law 39 on the other hand, states that a batsman cannot be stumped out if it is a No ball.
In the end, however, the players took the field once more and the last ball was bowled all over again, with Zimbabwe requiring 4 off 1 this time. Muzarabani swung again, he missed again. And Bangladesh finally won, for a second time!
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