In a thrilling World Cup 2023 match, Najmul Hossain Shanto, the stand-in captain of the Bangladeshi cricket team, faced a contentious moment. It revolved around a wide ball bowled by spinner Nasum Ahmed, which tried to dash Virat Kohli’s hopes of reaching a century in the match against Bangladesh.
Kohli was tantalizingly close to his hundred, at 97 not out, with India needing just two more runs to reach their target of 257. Nasum Ahmed sent down a delivery down the leg side that surprisingly wasn’t called a wide by the on-field umpire, Richard Kettleborough.
This pivotal event ignited a heated debate, with some suggesting that the wide ball might have been deliberate. However, Shanto stepped up to support Ahmed’s innocence and clarify that there was no motive at play.
As the match approached its climax, tension hung heavily in the air. With just nine overs remaining and Virat Kohli inching closer to his century, the wide ball incident took the spotlight.
To a significant portion of the audience, Ahmed’s delivery down the leg side seemed unquestionably outside the acceptable limit for a wide ball. However, the on-field umpire, Richard Kettleborough, held a different view and chose not to signal it as a wide.
Despite the controversy, Virat Kohli displayed his remarkable class and composure. Just a few deliveries later, in the 42nd over, he played his signature shot, smashing the ball over deep midwicket for a towering six. This not only secured India’s victory but also led Kohli to a well-deserved century, finishing the game unbeaten with 103 runs.
Najmul Hossain Shanto, serving as the captain of the Bangladesh team in place of injured Shakib Al Hasan, quickly addressed any doubts about the wide ball incident. In a press conference after the match, Shanto made it abundantly clear that there was no intentional attempt to bowl a wide ball to hinder Kohli’s century. He emphasized that their primary goal was to play a fair and competitive game, free from any hidden motives or intentions.
“No, no. There was no such plan. It was a normal strategy. No bowler had any intention to deliver a wide ball. We aimed to play a fair game. It was not intentional,” Shanto reassured the media, addressing the controversy.
