In 2017, the laws were modified to include dismissals for handling the ball under obstructing the field and to remove the handled-the-ball category.
On the opening day of the second Test match between Bangladesh and New Zealand in Mirpur, Mushfiqur Rahim was given out for obstructing the field, making history as the first batter in Test cricket history.
After blocking a ball from Kyle Jamieson into the ground and then swatting it away with his right hand when it bounced up wide outside off stump, he was removed in the 41st over. Television umpire Ahsan Raza promptly upheld New Zealand's appeal.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mushfiqur's teammate, remarked that the action had been instinctive at the conclusion of the day's play. Mehidy stated, "It happened in the flow of the game." "When at the crease, a batter must make a snap decision. Most likely, his hand got caught up in his batting motion. Mushfiq bhai didn't mean to do that. During a game, a lot of things go through your mind in the background. These things happen, as evidenced by our World Cup time-out dismissal."
Former Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal speculated on TV commentary that the dismissal might have been a reflex because players who practise at the net frequently pick up the ball and toss it back to the bowlers.
"A cricketer who has played over 80 Tests should know he can't do that," Tamim stated. "This can be achieved through practice habits. Batters frequently take the ball in hand and give it back to the bowler when they are in the nets. Perhaps Mushfiqur extended his hands without thinking. However, this is obviously ineligible as a defense.
Formerly, these dismissals were categorized as "handled the ball," but a 2017 law change eliminated that term and replaced it with "obstructing the field." Law 37.1.2 states that "The striker is out obstructing the field if, except in the circumstances of 37.2, he/she wilfully strikes the ball with a hand not holding the bat in the act of receiving a ball delivered by the bowler." This will hold true regardless of whether it is the first, second, or third strike. Playing at the ball and repeatedly striking the ball to defend one's wicket are both considered acts of receiving the ball."
According to the MCC, handled the ball was classified as obstructing the field in order to simplify the dismissal process because the former was essentially a particular instance of the latter.The timing was a major factor in the decision to make the change. It was thought to be easier to classify handled balls as obstructing the field, of which they were an exceptional example, since the offense had to occur during the act of receiving the ball. It was determined that it would be simpler to include handling the ball under the obstructing the field law because a batter handling the ball later (for example, purposefully blocking a throw) would have constituted obstruction. Mushfiqur had attempted to touch the ball with his glove earlier in his innings in Mirpur, including at ball 40.4. He had attempted to use his right hand to knock the ball away from the stumps in the 29th over, the first one after lunch, but had missed the mark.
After Mushfiqur and Shahadat Hossain combined to add 57 for the fifth wicket, taking Bangladesh from 47 for 4 to 104 for 5, the wicket eventually fell against the flow of play. Mushfiqur was out of the game after 35 balls played.
Mitchell Santner, a left-arm spinner from New Zealand, stated that, considering the situation Mushfiqur had batted Bangladesh into, the dismissal was lucky for his team.
"It was probably not a great option [from Mushfiqur]," Santner stated. "He had a great appearance. In other words, it was convenient for us in terms of time. He put in a lot of effort, and he and Dipu [Shahadat] made a great team."
