Yusuf Pathan became the first batsman in the Twenty20 history, and sixth overall, to be adjudged out for obstructing the field.
Test cricket has seen only one batsman, Briton Len Hutton, getting out in that fashion, while four players have been ruled out likewise in One-Day International, the latest being Pakistan's Mohammed Hafeez against South Africa early this year.
Pakistan's Rameez Raja (1987) and Inzamam ul haq (2006) and India's Mohinder Amarnath (1989) are the other three batsmen who were out in similar fashion in ODIs.
Pathan earned the dubious distinction of becoming first batsman to get out in that manner in the shortest version of the game while playing for Kolkata Knight Riders against Pune Warriors at Ranchi in this sixth edition of the Indian Premier League.
The match was evenly-poised when the incident occurred.
After negotiating a yorker from Wayne Parnell, Pathan attempted a single. As he ran to the non-striker’s end, the bowler too tried to get close to the ball, but Pathan kicked it as he covered ground, thus obstructing the field.
The matter was referred to third umpire and the Kolkata batsman was declared out.
His dismissal in the 18th over was turning point of the match as KKR thereafter did not have the batsmen to score the required 23 runs from 13 balls after that.
Pune restricted Kolkata to 163 for seven to register only their third victory in 15 matches in this edition of the tournament.
Image: Yusuf Pathan walks off after being declared out for obstructing the field.
Photograph: BCCI
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