BPL Sees Mysterious 12-Ball Over

Staff Correspondent

A single over stretched to 12 balls, producing 18 runs and one wicket, with three wides, three no-balls, and six legal deliveries. The bizarre sequence unfolded during Tuesday’s BPL match between Khulna Tigers and Chattogram Kings at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur.

Khulna’s West Indian pacer Oshane Thomas bowled the over, which left spectators and players baffled. Batting first, Khulna scored 203 runs, while Chattogram managed only 166 in their chase.

Thomas opened the innings with drama from the first ball. Believing he had taken a wicket, Thomas and his teammates celebrated, only to be informed by the umpire that it was a no-ball. This marked the beginning of an over filled with wides, no-balls, and free hits.

On the free hit following the first no-ball, Chattogram’s Naim failed to score. However, he smashed the next delivery for six, which was again declared a no-ball. Thomas then bowled two consecutive wides before finally delivering two legal balls.

The chaos didn’t end there. Thomas bowled another no-ball, and Naim hit a boundary off it. The scoreboard showed 15 runs with only one legal delivery bowled.

Adding to the drama, Naim hit a free hit high into the air, which was caught by Mohammad Naim Sheikh. However, under the rules, Naim was not out and scored two runs. On the next delivery, Naim was caught out legitimately.

The over ended with new batter Usman Khan failing to score off the last ball. Thomas’s over generated immense curiosity, though he did not bowl again in the match.

Questions linger about what caused such an unusual performance from the experienced pacer.