Yusuf Pathan is known for his big hitting and is also infamous for his brainless antiques at times by which he gifts his wicket. On this day, five years ago in the IPL, he found a very unique way to get out. So unique that he is the only batsman to get out in such way in the IPL history.
The incident happened in the match played between Kolkata Knight Riders and Pune Warriors India. The South African all-rounder Wayne Parnell was bowling the over with the big-hitter Yusuf on strike. After managing to negotiate a yorker from Wayne Parnell, Pathan attempted a single. As Pathan ran, the bowler tried to get close to the ball but Pathan pushed the ball with his foot, causing obstruction in the field.
Here is the video of his wicket:
https://twitter.com/videos_shots/status/996084809989419008
The matter was referred to the third umpire and the replays clearly showed that Pathan had indeed kicked the ball intentionally. Pathan was thus was declared out obstructing the field. His dismissal in the 18th over was turning point of the game as KKR did not have the batsmen to score required 23 runs from 13 balls after that. Pune restricted Kolkata to 163 for seven to complete their win.
Yusuf Pathan thus became the first batsman in the T20 history, and sixth overall at that time, to be ruled out for obstructing the field. Test cricket has seen only one batsman, Sir Len Hutton, getting out in that fashion while six players so far have been ruled out in the ODIs.
Pakistan’s Rameez Raja (1987) and Inzamam ul Haq (2006) along with India’s Mohinder Amarnath (1989) are the other three batsmen who were out in similar fashion in ODIs before Yusuf. Mohammad Hafeez, Anwar Ali and Ben Stokes have been added to the list now.
Pathan earned the dubious distinction of becoming the first batsman to get out in that way in the shortest version of the game while playing for his IPL side Kolkata Knight Riders against Pune Warriors. Last year, Alex Ross joined the list while playing in BBL. Jason Roy is the only batsman to get out in this way in T20I.
