Mohammad Kaif Slams Bangladesh Captain Mehidy Miraz For Bizarre Run-Out Against Pakistan

Pakistan's Salman Ali Agha earned an ICC demerit point after a furious outburst, throwing his gear in disgust following the run-out dismissal.

Mohammad Kaif Slams Bangladesh Captain Mehidy Miraz For Bizarre Run-Out Against Pakistan

Mohammad Kaif slammed Bangladesh captain Mehidy Miraz for his bizarre run-out dismissal against Pakistan. (via ESPN Cricinfo)

In Short
  • Mohammad Kaif criticized Bangladesh captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz for a controversial run-out of Pakistan's Salman Ali Agha.
  • Bangladesh lost the second ODI against Pakistan by 128 runs, despite leading the series 1-0.
  • Fans defended Miraz's actions, stating Agha made a mistake by touching the ball before it was declared dead.

Former India all-rounder Mohammad Kaif was not convinced by the way Bangladesh’s captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz dismissed Pakistan’s Salman Ali Agha during an ODI. Kaif lashed out at Miraz for the bizarre run-out, while calling it against the spirit of the game.  

Already up 1-0 in the series, Bangladesh lost the second ODI by a margin of 128 runs in a rain-affected encounter at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium in Dhaka. The visitors put up 274 runs on the board, guided by knocks from Maaz Sadaqat (75 off 46) and Salman Ali Agha (64 off 62).

With the target reduced to 243 runs in 32 overs, the Tigers were bundled out for just 114 runs in 23.3 overs during the chase. 

What surprised fans was a bizarre incident that occurred in the 39th over of Pakistan’s innings in Dhaka. Mohammad Rizwan and Agha had established a solid 109-run fourth-wicket partnership, putting the Men in Green in a strong position at 231/3.

Off the fourth delivery bowled by Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Rizwan gently nudged the ball to the right of the bowler, directing it straight towards the non-striker’s end. Miraz moved up to stop the ball with his boot, but accidentally collided with Agha, who was backing up. 

As the ball trickled to a stop near Agha’s feet, he assumed play to be over and bent down to pick up the ball and hand it back to Miraz. The Bangladeshi skipper, however, swiftly seized the ball before Agha could and immediately threw it at the stumps. The Pakistani all-rounder, well outside his crease at the time, was declared run-out. The dismissal was deemed legal under ICC rules despite Agha’s protests, as the ball had not been declared ‘dead’.

Former India all-rounder Mohammad Kaif strongly condemned Miraz’s conduct in the dismissal, even calling it a breach of the ‘spirit of the game’. Kaif suggested that sportsmanship values should outweigh the desperation to get a wicket, even in do-or-die matches. He went on to emphasize the greater sense of responsibility that Miraz should have demonstrated, and strongly advised young cricketers to play fair.

This is so not done. No desperation of getting wickets can justify this run out. That too from a captain [Mehidy Miraz]. Youngsters please remember, even if the World Cup final is on the line never do what the Bangladesh skipper did.

However, fans largely felt that Mehidy Miraz had acted completely within the rules, and they highlighted Salman Ali Agha’s mistake in touching the ball too early. Furthermore, former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali strongly criticized Agha for his total lack of game awareness.

Pakistan Cricket Board confirms no fines for players after ‘humiliating’ T20 World Cup exit

The Pakistan Cricket Board dismissed reports that the men’s national team players would be penalized. Reports had previously suggested that the PCB was planning to impose a fine on both the players and the team management for their failures in the 2026 T20 World Cup.

Pakistan fine PCB
The PCB clarified that Pakistan’s 2026 T20 World Cup squad would not be fine for poor performance. (via Hindustan Times)

Pakistan’s wait for a second T20 WC remains, with the team having failed to make it past the Super Eight stages of the recently-concluded 2026 tournament. They finished third in their group, behind England and New Zealand. In the aftermath of the team’s exit, reports emerged of the PCB having decided to impose a fine of PKR 5 million on each one of the 15 players of the squad for failing to meet basic objectives. 

The move was even called out by former players like Younis Khan, who suggested that it is not right to punish the players in this manner. PCB spokesperson Amir Mir, clearing the air, recently revealed that the cricket board has not made any decision to impose a penalty on the players, as no such provision exists. Mir, however, added that the board is exploring ways to link player accountability with performance.

No such decision was ever taken by the PCB. It was all social media gossip. There is no such precedence or provision.

Pakistan cricketers operate under a central contract system, which entitles them to monthly retainer payments. Among the highest earners are Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Afridi, Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, and Abrar Ahmed.

Read More: