Batsman got out because of ignorance of the laws: Ramiz Raja on Stokes’ incident
Mumbai: Former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja believes that batsmen falling under unusual dismissal of "obstructing the field" is more because of the "ignorance of laws" by the players.
On Saturday, in an ODI against Australia at the Mecca of Cricket (Lord's), 25-year-all rounder Ben Stokes controversially was declared out by third umpire Joel Wilson in this rare mode of dismissal. He is the first Englishman to be out in this fashion in ODIs and joins the list first headed by Raja.
"The batsman got out in this fashion mainly because of ignorance of the laws. It happens so quickly that the batsman has no time to think anything else", Raja, speaking exclusively from Lahore, said on Sunday.
"The victim realises his mistake lately. I don't think any batsman would want to be out in this fashion. At least in my case it was certainly the ignorance of laws at the time", the 54-year-old Raja, who has become a renowned international cricket commentator added.
Out of total six batsmen being given out by this mode of dismissal in ODIs, four are from Pakistan. "That's how the Pakistani batsmen make game interesting," he said.
Check out: What the cricket world had to say on Ben Stokes’ incident
"Ramiz Raja completed a hat-trick of unusual dismissals against England in 1987. Incorrectly given run out when walking for a catch off a no-ball in Perth, and run out without facing at the Oval in the Texaco Trophy, he was here given out obstructing the field when looking for a second run off the final delivery to reach his hundred. It was the first such dismissal in a one-day international", Wisden Almanack has reported about the incident.
Australian captain Steve Smith has now been facing criticism for not withdrawing the appeal and thus not showing the spirit of the game. His father, Peter Smith, however didn't wish to comment more on the incident.
"I was not at Lord's but saw the match on TV. The Australians felt the batsman was out, the Englishmen think otherwise. Whatever decision is taken by the umpires has to be respected. I can't comment more about my son's sportsman spirit", he said exclusively from Sydney.
