Nawaz speaks out on ‘dead ball’ drama

Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz has put forth his opinions on Mahmudullah's 'dead ball' in the final over of the third T20I between Pakistan and Bangladesh on Monday at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka.

While bowling the final delivery of the match, Mahmudullah released the ball in his delivery stride after which Nawaz pulled out.

The ball went on to hit the stumps, but the umpires called the delivery a 'dead ball'. Speaking on the incident, Nawaz said that he wasn't ready to face the ball and hence, backed off.

"I was taking my guard and wasn't looking at the bowler and all of a sudden he delivered the ball. When the ball was halfway down, I looked up and stopped him immediately," Nawaz said in a post-match interview according to Cricwick.

On the dead ball saga, Mahmudullah showed respect towards the umpire's decision.

"I just asked the umpire whether it's a fair ball or not because he (Nawaz) pulled out late. I just asked this to the umpire nothing else. Umpire's call is final and we do respect umpires. It's a little bit heart-breaking. We went closer but unfortunately it did not happen," Mahmudullah had said.

Mahmudullah's gesture has won hearts of many, who have expressed their admiration for the Bangladesh skipper on social media. Former BCB president Saber Hossain Chowdhury was one of those who hailed the Bangladesh skipper. Chowdhury tweeted after the game: 

"@Mahmudullah30 bowled a perfectly legal delivery and demonstrated incredible generosity, way beyond sportsmanship, in not contesting umpire's decision - memorable. Pakistan achieve a clean sweep in T20 series but moral victory for #Bangladesh in final game. #BANvsPAK"