WATCH: Mushfiqur Rahim becomes first Bangladesh batter to be dismissed 'handling the ball'

Bangladesh and New Zealand are currently playing in a two-match test series. The hosts have won their first test match. The second test is currently underway at Sher-e-Bangla Stadium Mirpur. Najimul Hasan Shanto's side won the toss and elected to bat first. During the game, something funny and unusual happened. Veteran wicket-keeper Mushfiqur Rahim was dismissed for ball handling in the Test match. 

The batter pushed the ball away with his hands after defending it off the ball of Kyle Jamieson. After he gloved away the ball the Kiwi fielders appealed immediately for an obstructing the field dismissal. The on-field umpires asked for the assistance of the third umpire, who, after reviewing the replays, gave him out. The TV umpire believed that the veteran batter handled the intentionally as he thought that the ball might go and hit the stump. 

Previously also Rahim tried to do a similar thing but was not successful. The batter was out after scoring 35 runs and they are struggling 129/6. He is the eighth cricketer in Tests to get out in this way. Previously the likes of Mohinder Amarnath, Mohsin Khan, and Michael Vaughan have been going out doing this. 

Here's the video

Mushfiqur Rahim out for obstructing the field.

- He is the first Bangladesh batter to dismiss by this way in cricket history.pic.twitter.com/MfZONDzswk

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) December 6, 2023

What does the rulebook say on 'Handling The Ball' dismissal?

As per the rulebook a batter, Handled the ball:(a) Either batter Handled the ball if he wilfully touches the ball while in play with a hand or hands not holding the bat unless he does so with the consent of a fielder. (b) Either batter is out under this Law if, while the ball is in play, and without the consent of a fielder, he uses his hand or hands not holding the bat to return the ball to any fielder. 

The law itself has changed, and as of October 1, 2017, the 'handled the ball' dismissal was subsumed into 'obstructing the field' under Law 37. While the method of dismissal remains part of the game's fabric, it now falls under a different category, ensuring that the act of handling the ball still results in a batter's departure from the crease, albeit under a different label.'

Not out Handled the ball: Notwithstanding (a) above, a batter will not be out under this Law if he handles the ball to avoid injury.