In an electrifying World Cup showdown, the interim captain of the Bangladeshi cricket team, Najmul Hossain Shanto, found himself addressing a contentious issue revolving around the wide ball delivered by spinner Nasum Ahmed that ultimately thwarted Virat Kohli’s bid for a century during the match against India. Kohli was tantalizingly close to his century at 97 not out, with India needing just two more runs to reach their target of 257. Nasum Ahmed unleashed a delivery down the leg side that, to the astonishment of many, wasn’t deemed a wide by the on-field umpire, Richard Kettleborough. This pivotal juncture in the game ignited a fierce debate, with some insinuating that the wide ball was intentional. Nevertheless, Shanto has stepped forward to support Ahmed’s innocence and clarify that no such ulterior motive was at play.
As the match was approaching its climax, tension hung thick in the air. With merely nine overs remaining, and Virat Kohli edging closer to a much-anticipated century, the wide ball incident took centre stage. Ahmed’s delivery down the leg side appeared, to a large part of the audience, to be unquestionably outside the acceptable limit for a wide delivery. However, the on-field umpire, Richard Kettleborough, had a divergent perspective and chose not to signal it as a wide. This decision triggered shock and frustration, both from Indian fans and Kohli himself.
Despite the contentious delivery, Virat Kohli exhibited his remarkable class and composure. Just a few deliveries later, in the 42nd over, he unfurled his signature shot, launching the ball over deep midwicket for a towering six. This not only sealed India’s triumph but also propelled Kohli to a richly deserved century, ending the game unbeaten on 103 runs. His outstanding performance not only silenced the controversy but also underscored his exceptional skill and sportsmanship.
Najmul Hossain Shanto Breaks Silence On Whether They Intentionally Wanted To Bowl Wide To Virat Kohli
Najmul Hossain Shanto, standing in as the captain of the Bangladesh team, promptly extinguished any speculations surrounding the wide ball controversy. During a press conference held after the match, Shanto made it explicitly clear that there was no deliberate intention to bowl a wide ball to obstruct Kohli’s century. He stressed that their sole objective was to play a fair and competitive game, devoid of any hidden agendas or motivations.
“No, no. There was no such plan. It was a normal plan. No bowler had the intention to bowl a wide ball. We tried to play a proper game. It was not intentional,” Shanto told the media, addressing the controversy.
