'Sportsman spirit has to be there': Agha on controversial run-out
What's the story
Pakistan's Salman Ali Agha has expressed his disappointment over a controversial run-out in the second ODI against Bangladesh in Mirpur. The incident happened when Agha was batting at the non-striker's end and was involved in a collision with bowler Mehidy Hasan Miraz. Despite being well out of his crease, Agha attempted to pick up the ball for Miraz but Miraz was quick enough to collect it first.
Aftermath
Agha upset over the decision
Agha was visibly upset with the decision as he walked back to the pavilion. He made a 62-ball 64. The middle-order batter had shared a 109-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Mohammad Rizwan, putting Pakistan in a strong position at 231/4 in the 39th over. However, after the match, Agha clarified his stance on the incident. "I think sportsman spirit has to be there," he said. "What he [Mehidy] has done is in the law."
Personal view
I would have done things differently: Agha
Agha added, "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." He also explained his intention was to return the ball back to Miraz as he thought it was likely called dead. "Actually, the ball hit on my pad and then my bat," Agha said. "So I thought he can't get me run-out now."
Regret
Pakistan win via DLS method
Agha regretted his angry response to the incident, saying it was just a heat-of-the-moment reaction. "If you ask me what would I have done, I would have done things differently," he said. The Pakistan team won the match by 128 runs via the DLS method. Agha was also involved in a heated exchange with Bangladesh wicketkeeper Litton Das but didn't share much about it later on.