Watch: Shoaib Bashir survives as Kyle Abbott’s towel falls during Delivery Stride in County Championship 2024–25 match

A bizarre moment took place during the match between Somerset and Hampshire in the County Championship 2024-25 season. Kyle Abbott's rare no-ball saved Shoaib Bashir from dismissal during the domestic match on September 26, and the video has gone viral across social media platforms.

Kyle Abbott played a key role in Hampshire's strong performance against Somerset in the ongoing County Championship Division One match in Taunton. Somerset struggled in their first innings and ended up with a total of just 136 runs. Abbott took four wickets for 36 runs in the first innings.

Watch: Rare No-Ball Saves Shoaib Bashir Despite Being Bowled by Kyle Abbott

In the final moments of Somerset’s first innings, Abbott bowled Hampshire batter Shoaib Bashir. However, Bashir survived being out due to a distraction caused by Abbott's towel falling at the non-striker's end. The umpire declared it a no-ball and allowed Bashir to continue his innings despite being bowled.

Abbott delivered a perfect ball aimed at the middle stump. However, his hand towel accidentally fell off his pants at the non-striker's end during the delivery.

Shoaib Bashir showed his frustration when the ball struck the stumps. The umpire acknowledged the distraction caused by Kyle Abbott's towel falling out and ruled the delivery a no-ball.

The commentators could be heard confirming the same as they said, “His towel has fallen out of his back pocket, which means it’s a no-ball. And would you believe it? Kyle Abbott would’ve been on a hattrick.”

Law 20.4.2.6 enables umpires to call a dead ball when “the striker is distracted by any noise or movement or in any other way while preparing to receive, or receiving a delivery.”

The official account of County Championship has now shared the bizarre cricket moment on X (formerly known as Twitter). “Kyle Abbott nearly had two wickets in two balls... But a towel fell out of Abbott's back pocket in his delivery stride, and it was deemed a dead ball,” the post read.

Kyle Abbott nearly had two wickets in two balls...

But a towel fell out of Abbott's back pocket in his delivery stride, and it was deemed a dead ball. pic.twitter.com/9jTYDoABfk

— Vitality County Championship (@CountyChamp) September 26, 2024

Kyle Abbott Dismissed Shoaib Bashir for Zero in First Innings

However, Shoaib Bashir didn't remain at the crease for long. He was eventually out on the second-to-last ball of the 54th over by Kyle Abbott through LBW. He was the last batter to be dismissed in Somerset’s first innings. Somerset managed to score a total of 136 runs in 53.5 overs on Day 1.

Hampshire posted 196 runs in their first innings and took a 60-run lead over Somerset. Leach took five wickets for 52 runs in 20 overs. Toby Albert was the top scorer for Hampshire with 77 runs off 162 balls. At the end of the second day's play, Somerset scored 60 runs for four wickets.

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