During ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2023, Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan and Najmul Hossain Shanto made headlines as they caused the first-ever timed-out dismissal in international cricket history to leave Sri Lanka all-rounder Angelo Mathews. It led to a spirit of cricket debate as Mathews’ helmet strap was broken. A few months later, left-arm pacer Shoriful Islam set an example of sportsmanship as he decided not to run out New Zealand’s Tim Seifert after he suffered a blow to his head on the non-striker’s end.
In the second T20I of the series, Islam opened the bowling from the other end. After taking Finn Allen's wicket on the second ball, Daryl Mitchell walked out to bat. Mitchell hit the length delivery straight to Seifert who tried to duck but was hit on the helmet. Seifert immediately fell to the ground. He tried to get up but Shoriful had enough time to run him out. He went for it at first but decided against it. The video of his gesture is making rounds on social media.
Meanwhile, the on-field umpire Shaun Haig signalled the ball dead and rushed to Seifert’s aide as he tried to get up. The Kiwi physio rushed to the middle for a concussion check. Seifert smiled before the play resumed. He was batting on eight runs then.
In Shoriful's next over, Seifert hit a six as the outside edge carried over the third man boundary. He also hit a boundary in the same over. Seifert continued to attack and was heading towards his half-century. In the eighth over, Tanzim Hasan Sakib got the better of him with a slower off-cutter. He scored 43 runs from 23 balls including six fours and a six.
Meanwhile, Daryl Mitchell could not even score at run-a-ball. Similarly, Glenn Phillips struggled as well. Rishad Hossain conceded just 10 runs from his three overs. But rain played spoilsport at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui when the hosts were 72/2 after 11 overs. The game could not resume due to incessant rain and was eventually abandoned.
Bangladesh have a 1-0 lead in the T20I series after their historic win at McLean Park, Napier. They will face New Zealand in the third T20I at the same venue as second game on December 31.
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