Watch: England Batter Given Out For Handing Ball To Wicketkeeper, Stuart Broad Fumes

England batter Hamza Sheikh became the focal point of a bizarre dismissal in the Under-19 World Cup 2024. Sheikh handed a stationary ball to the Zimbabwe wicket-keeper after it had stopped near the stumps. However, the keeper's appeal prompted the umpire to refer the matter to the third umpire, and subsequently, Hamza was given out. The entire incident left cricket fans fuming on social media and even former England pacer Stuart Broad was outraged.

Sheikh was eventually given out, even the commentators also suggesting that he is right to be disappointed.

lol pic.twitter.com/NmayAt31Hc

— thrawn le carré (@ali1m) February 3, 2024

"Oh get a grip. He's passing a stationary ball back to the fielder? Doing him a favour! Cant give that out," Stuart Broad said on the incident.

Oh get a grip. He's passing a stationary ball back to the fielder? Doing him a favour! Cant give that out https://t.co/0iVQXKNw6d

— Stuart Broad (@StuartBroad8) February 3, 2024

What does the rule say on the incident?

The law says on the incident: "37.1.1 Either batter is out Obstructing the field if, except in the circumstances of 37.2, and while the ball is in play, he/she wilfully attempts to obstruct or distract the fielding side by word or action. See also Law 34 (Hit the ball twice).

"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/she wilfully strikes the ball with a hand not holding the bat. This will apply whether it is the first strike or a second or 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/her wicket."

Hamza was eventually given out for field obstruction

Topics mentioned in this article

England U19 Zimbabwe U19 Under-19 World Cup 2024 Cricket