New Delhi: Pakistan batter Salman Ali Agha’s controversial run out in the 2nd ODI against Bangladesh has once again triggered a debate around ‘spirit of cricket’. Bangladesh captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz ran Agha out on the non-striker’s end during the game, sparking mixed reactions from fans, experts and former cricketers.
The dismissal took place in the 39th over of Pakistan’s innings at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium in Dhaka when Agha was batting in the middle with Mohammad Rizwan. On the 4th delivery of the over from Miraz, Rizwan pushed one down the ground, and the ball went straight towards Agha at the non-striker’s end.
The ball stuck Agha on the pads after he had already stepped out of the crease. Having been hit on the pads, Agha bent down to pick the ball up to hand it over to the bowler. However, Miraz showed quick presence of mind as he collected the ball in a jiffy and threw it back at the stumps to dislodge the bail.
Agha was caught out of the crease as Miraz and other Bangladesh players appealed for a wicket. The on-field umpire referred the decision to the third umpire, who ruled in Bangladesh’s favour. Agha was visibly disappointed and angry after the dismissal and engaged in a war of words with Miraz before heading back to the pavilion.
A clip of the controversial dismissal went viral on social media, sparking a debate. Though the dismissal was well within the rules of the game, fans and experts were left divided on social media, as some felt Miraz should have upheld the spirit of the game and not run out Agha, as the Pakistan batter was not trying to steal a run. Others claimed Miraz’s dismissal was a great display of game awareness.
Watch Salman Ali Agha’s contentious run out:
Crucial moment! Mehidy Hasan Miraz removes Salman Agha with a brilliant run-out. ⚡🏏#BCB #Cricket #Bangladesh #Pakistan #ODI pic.twitter.com/N0inKkZVwz
— Bangladesh Cricket (@BCBtigers) March 13, 2026
Salman Ali Agha’s controversial run out triggers spirit of cricket debate:
This is so not done. No desperation of getting wickets can justify this run out. That too from a captain. Youngsters please remember, even if the World Cup final is on the line never do what the Bangladesh skipper did. Sports without fair play is no sports. https://t.co/1N5LjEuFUK
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) March 13, 2026
Unsportsmanlike conduct of Bangladesh robbed Salman Ali Agha of possibly a century and Pakistan much higher score! pic.twitter.com/UVF9r8pkyl
— Basit Subhani (@BasitSubhani) March 13, 2026
🚨 HUGE DRAMA IN PAK VS BAN MATCH 🚨
– Salman Agha was run out by Mehdi Hassan while trying to pass the ball.
– Agha stormed off, throwing his helmet and gloves in frustration.
– Tbh this should not happen. It’s a disgrace for spirit of the game. 👎 pic.twitter.com/QLTs2bXRf6
— Yasir. (@cricbyyasir) March 13, 2026
On the live camera shot, I thought this was naughty by Miraz. But seeing the side on replay, it was actually Salman Agha with the brain fade. You can’t be reaching to pick up the ball when you’re that far out of the non-striker’s crease and then cry spirit of cricket. https://t.co/ZbeM2ro6gK
— Peter Della Penna (@PeterDellaPenna) March 13, 2026
Salman Ali Agha acted so dumb here to just try and pick up the ball and not even attempt to get back in his crease.
Spirit of cricket warriors may keep crying but this is a legitimate dismissal. Being dumb should not be put behind a mask of spirit of cricket. https://t.co/jPulg9b8vO
— Anuj Nitin Prabhu (@APTalksCricket) March 13, 2026
Unbelievable brain-fade from Agha Salman! 🤦♂️ Standing outside the crease to help the bowler by picking up the ball is schoolboy stuff.
Whether it’s spirit of cricket or not, Agha was lazy—he assumed the ball was dead without checking. In international cricket, you stay in your…
— CricGreen92🇵🇰 (@cric_green92) March 13, 2026
What did Salman Ali Agha say on his controversial dismissal?
Pakistan batter Salman Agha was asked about his controversial run-out during the post-match press conference in Dhaka. While Agha agreed Miraz was well within the rules to run him out, the Pakistan batter said he would have done things differently if he were in the place of the Bangladesh skipper.
Agha hinted that he felt the ball was dead after it hit him on his pads and that he was trying to help the bowler by handing him the ball. The Pakistan batter said he would have preferred to show sportsman’s spirit and not run out the batter if he were in Miraz’s place as a bowler.
“What he has done is in the law. I think if he thinks it’s right, it’s right, but from my perspective, I would have done it differently. I would have gone for sportsman’s spirit. We haven’t done this type of thing previously, we would never do that in the future as well,” Agha said.
“Actually, the ball hit on my pad and then my bat. So I thought he can’t get me run-out now, because the ball already hit on my pad and my bat. I was just trying to give him the ball back. I was not looking for the run or anything like that, but he already decided to make the run-out,” he added.