Explainer: Why was Mushfiqur Rahim adjudged out for 'obstructing the field' and not 'handling the ball'

The second Test of the ongoing series between Bangladesh and New Zealand saw the hosts come into the game looking to clinch the series as they registered a brilliant win in the first Test. As the second Test began, the game had one of the most controversial moments as Mushfiqur Rahim was dismissed for obstructing the field.

Rahim became the first Bangladesh player to be dismissed for obstructing the field in Test cricket. The incident happened on the first day of the second Test in Mirpur. In the 41st over, Mushfiqur defended the delivery by Kyle Jamieson and went on to swat the ball away with his hand. Seeing this, the Kiwi players appealed immediately, and Mushfiqur was deemed out by the umpire.

However, many opined that the star batter would be dismissed for handling the ball, but to the surprise of many, he was dismissed for obstructing the field, and many were left wondering why. It can be interesting to note that after 2017, the handled ball category was removed and brought under the category of obstructing the field.

According to Law 37.1.2, "The striker is out obstructing the field if, except in the circumstances of 37.2, in the act of receiving a ball delivered by the bowler, he or she wilfully strikes the ball with a hand not holding the bat. This will apply whether it is the first strike, a second strike, or a subsequent strike. The act of receiving the ball shall extend both to playing at the ball and to striking the ball more than once in defence of his or her wicket."

Furthermore, the handled ball category was brought under field obstruction to better streamline the mode of dismissals. It is also quite interesting that this was not the first time that Mushfiqur tried to swat the ball away with his hands. During the 29th over, he attempted to knock the ball away with his right hand but missed it completely.