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Controversy over bizarre cricket rule overshadows ODI

Bangladesh’s series-clinching ODI victory over the West Indies has been overshadowed by a controversial umpiring bungle.

West Indies captain Rovman Powell revealed he was ‘disappointed’ after being caught behind in the 26th over, despite the delivery being invalid due to a fielding violation.

Technically, umpires Masudur Rahman and Ruchira Palliyaguruge should have called a no-ball against Bangladesh due to an excess number of fielders on the leg-side of Powell.

According to ICC rule 28.4, “At the instant of delivery, there may not be more than 5 fielders on the leg side… In the event of infringement of this clause by any fielder, the striker’s end umpire shall call and signal no-ball.”

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Rovman Powell unfairly lost his wicket. Pic: Getty
Rovman Powell unfairly lost his wicket. Pic: Getty

At the time of the dismissal, Bangladesh had six players in the leg-side field, meaning Powell’s dismissal should never have happened, and the eventual result could have been far different.

“It was a situation where Bangladesh had six persons on the leg side, and generally six persons on the leg side is considered a no-ball,” Powell said.

“It is a bit disappointing to see about six or seven balls (were) bowled with six players on the leg side and the umpire didn’t pick that up. It is human mistake, so sometimes you have to just give and take.

“But you don’t want to lose a wicket in that fashion. Maybe that’s one of the major reasons why Carlos came on the field. To be honest, I didn’t spot it. None of us, me nor [the other batsman at the time] Shai Hope, spotted it. We were concentrating on rebuilding, getting a partnership going and that just happened.”

Meanwhile, Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza said his side never realised their error.

“We all know that a 6-3 field is a no-ball,” Mashrafe said. “But by being focused on getting them out we ended up having six fielders on the on-side, but since the umpire had made his call (on the dismissal), he had to be given out.”