Ball hits helmet as wicketkeeper bizarrely stands near first slip in BAN-A vs NZ-A unofficial ODI [Watch]

In an unusual turn of events during the third unofficial ODI between Bangladesh A and New Zealand A in Sylhet, the ball hit the wicketkeeper’s helmet placed on the ground, leading to a penalty for the home team. The incident occurred in the fifth over of the Kiwi run-chase, with Dale Phillips facing Ebadot Hossain’s delivery.

The wicketkeeper Nurul Hasan, who was also the captain of the team, was positioned in an unconventional manner behind the stumps. He had placed his helmet straight behind the wickets as per the rule, but he himself was standing ahead of it. When the pacer bowled a straight delivery and Phillips let it go, the ball struck the helmet before reaching the third-man fielder.

As a result, Bangladesh A were penalized, and five runs were awarded to New Zealand A. The visiting team seemed unaware of the penalty initially and took a bye single before the umpire signaled the penalty.

The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) law 28.3 states that if the ball hits a protective helmet placed on the ground, the umpire shall award five penalty runs to the batting side, and the ball is declared dead. The rule also specifies the position where helmets can be placed and the consequences of the ball hitting them.

Despite the penalty, New Zealand A managed to secure a four-wicket victory in the match, keeping the series alive at 2-1 in favor of Bangladesh A. The Kiwis successfully chased down a target of 227 with 10 balls to spare.

In conclusion, the rare incident of the ball hitting the wicketkeeper’s helmet led to a penalty against Bangladesh A as per the MCC rule. This turn of events added an interesting twist to the match, ultimately resulting in a close finish with New Zealand A emerging victorious.

The author of this article, James Kuanal, has been a cricket news correspondent for Sportskeeda for over 2.5 years, with a significant readership base. His extensive experience in sports reporting and passion for the game shines through in his detailed analysis and coverage of cricket events. His expertise in breaking news and exclusive coverage of ICC events and IPL makes him a valuable asset to the sports journalism field.