A strange moment happened in the match between Somerset and Hampshire in the County Championship 2024-25 season. A rare no-ball by Kyle Abbott in a domestic match on September 26 saved Shoaib Bashir from dismissal and the video went viral on social media platforms.
Kyle Abbott played a key role in Hampshire’s strong performance against Somerset in the ongoing County Championship Division One match at Taunton. Somerset struggled in their first innings and ended up with just 136 runs. Abbott took four wickets for 36 runs in the first innings.
Watch: Rare no-ball Shoaib Bashir saves despite being bowled by Kyle Abbott
In the dying moments of Somerset’s first innings, Abbott tackled Hampshire batsman Shoaib Bashir. However, Bashir survived as he was distracted by Abbott’s towel landing on the non-striker’s end. The umpire called it a no-ball and allowed Bashir to continue with the strike.
Abbott delivered a perfect ball that targeted middle stump. But her towel accidentally fell down the non-striker’s pants during the delivery.
Shoaib Bashir showed his frustration when the ball hit the stumps. Umpire Kyle Abbott admitted he was distracted by the drop of his towel and adjudged the delivery to be a no-ball.
Commentators could be heard confirming what he said: “His towel is out of his back pocket, which means no ball. And would you believe it? Kyle Abbott would have scored a hat-trick.”
Law 20.4.2.6 allows the umpires to call a dead ball “when a striker is preparing to receive or receiving a delivery, any noise or movement, or any other distraction”.
The official County Championship account has now shared a quirky cricket moment on X (formerly known as Twitter). “Kyle Abbott almost had two wickets in two balls… But the handkerchief fell from Abbott’s back pocket in the stride of his delivery and it was ruled a dead ball,” the post read.
Kyle Abbott nearly had two wickets in two balls…
But a handkerchief came out of Abbott’s back pocket and it was ruled a dead ball. pic.twitter.com/9jTYDoABfk
— Vitality County Championship (@CountyChamp) September 26, 2024
Kyle Abbott dismissed Shoaib Bashir for a wicket in the first innings
However, Shoaib Bashir did not remain at the crease for long. He was eventually bowled LBW by Kyle Abbott in the second over of the 54th ball. He was the last batsman dismissed in Somerset’s first innings. Somerset managed to score just 136 runs in 53.5 overs on Day 1.
Hampshire posted 196 runs in their first innings and took a 60-run lead over Somerset. Leach took five wickets for 52 runs in 20 overs. Toby Albert was Hampshire’s top scorer with 77 runs from 162 balls. At the end of the second day’s play, Somerset scored 60 runs for four wickets.
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