Wicketkeeper's Helmet Snafu Costs Bangladesh A Game Against New Zealand A
In the scenario in Bangladesh, the team admitted five runs as a consequence, with the keeper standing at the first slip and neglecting to bring along his helmet.
In a bizarre turn of events during the third unofficial ODI between Bangladesh A and New Zealand A in Sylhet, a cute ol' error in field placement resulted in five penalty runs being awarded to the latter.
On Saturday, May 10, while chasing a modest 227, the Kiwis were cruising at 35-0 in the 5th over, their opener Rhys Mariu letting one from Ebadot Hossain go. Now, here's where things get a bit bonkers: Bangladesh A had their wicketkeeper, Nurul Hasan, planted pretty far out in the off-side, usually where first slip would be stationed. Well, the misplaced banana in the bunch means the ball sailed right past him and smacked the helmet that was left behind the stumps.[1][2][3]
Ah, the laws of cricket! Under MCC's Law 28.3, if a fielding side's helmet, including the ‘keeper's, takes a hit while lying on the ground, that ball is considered toast. The batting side gets a whopping five penalty runs for their troubles, and the umpires had no choice but to follow suit.[3]
Mariu eventually returned to the pavilion for a run-a-ball 33 after partnering with Dale Phillips for a solid 77-run opening stand. Thereafter, Nasum Ahmed, Mosaddek Hossain, and Nayeem Hasan orchestrated a comeback of sorts, snagging two wickets apiece to reduce New Zealand A to 166-6. But Dean Foxcroft (36*) and Zachary Foulkes (28*) sportingly saw the Kiwis over the line with ten balls to spare.[1][3]
It's worth mentioning that these shenanigans happened right after the intense series opener where Bangladesh A's all-international pace attack dismissed four of New Zealand's top five batters for ducks.[3] The second match ended in favor of Bangladesh A, with joint centuries from Mahidul Islam Ankon and Nurul Hasan aiding them to a hefty 344-5.[1]
This peculiar incident serves as a friendly reminder to pay attention to your field placement and follow the rules to the tee, or you might find yourself in a pickle like this one. Even the mighty can be felled by a poorly placed helmet! [1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_Bangladesh_A_tour_of_New_Zealand_A "2025 Bangladesh A tour of New Zealand A" [2]: https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/new-zealand-a-vs-bangladesh-a-in-india-2025-1306706/bangladesh-a-vs-new-zealand-a-3rd-unofficial-odi-at-sylhet-may-10-2025-cricket-score "Bangladesh A vs New Zealand A, 3rd unofficial ODI scorecard" [3]: https://www.icc-cricket.com/cricket/rules/mccs-laws-of-cricket/#law-28 "Law 28 - The Ball in Play, MCC's Laws of Cricket"
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- The strange incident during the third unofficial ODI between Bangladesh A and New Zealand A was the award of five penalty runs due to a wicketkeeper's helmet being left unattended on the field, violating MCC's Law 28.3.
- The international cricket match between the two teams saw occasional success for the Bangladesh A pace attack, with Ebadot Hossain dismissing the opener, Rhys Mariu, but the team's poor field placement ended up boosting New Zealand A's score.
- In a game marked by erratic fielding, the New Zealand A opening pair of Mariu and Dale Phillips combined for a 77-run partnership, and went on to post a victory, despite Bangladesh A's spinners dismissing two wickets each.
- While Bangladesh A's all-international pace attack showed promise, a moment's lapse in field placement during the fielding side's helmet management ultimately turned the tide in New Zealand A's favor.
