UAE pace bowler Hazrat Bilal garnered attention on social media for bowling an unusually large no-ball during the ongoing Abu Dhabi T10 League. Hazrat Bilal delivered a historic no-ball during the match between New York Strikers and Morrisville Samp Army in Abu Dhabi on Friday, November 22.
The Abu Dhabi T10 League has come under scrutiny due to concerns of potential spot-fixing. The recent incident has raised questions about the tournament’s integrity. The International Cricket Council (ICC) needs to control the T20 and T10 leagues around the world to ensure fairness and credibility.
Watch: Hazrat Bilal Bowls The Biggest No-Ball In Cricket
It happened during the fifth match of the Abu Dhabi T10 League between Morrisville Samp Army and New York Strikers at Sheikh Zayed Stadium. Hazrat Bilal, who has played seven ODI matches for the UAE, was playing for Samp Army. He bowled the no-ball in the fourth over while defending 136 runs.
Bilal started the over with a dot ball and a wide, followed by the wicket of Zeeshan Abid. He then bowled a dot ball to Asif Ali. However, he bowled a no-ball with his heel well over the line by more than a foot. Fans started suspecting potential fixing in the ongoing league, with many sharing their concerns.
Welcome to Abu Dhabi T10 league
This is a NO BALL bowled by Hazrat Bilal of Morrisville Samp Army against New York Strikers in 4th over.
Tell me a better sign than this to indicate that spot fixing exists#ADT10 #AbuDhabiT10League #AUSvIND #WIvBAN #WBBL10 pic.twitter.com/4nCNuX9d2X
— Scoop Shot (@Scoopshott) November 22, 2024
Was This A Free Hit – David Warner
His teammates, including Faf du Plessis and Reece Topley, could not control their laughter after watching the reply, while former Australia opener David Warner questioned whether the free hit for the no-ball was properly awarded.
“The Abu Dhabi T10 league was this a free hit??” Warner wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter).
The @AbudhabiT10 league 😂😂😂 was this a free hit?? pic.twitter.com/EvpHkrKuKx
— David Warner (@davidwarner31) November 22, 2024
The Abu Dhabi T10 League has faced controversy over past corruption scandals, with the ICC issuing bans earlier this year.
Pune Devils’ batting coach Ashar Zaidi received a five-year ban for corrupt activities, while team owners Parag Sanghavi and Krishan Kumar Choudhary were banned for two years for not reporting corruption. The recent no-ball incident has raised further concerns about the league’s integrity.
Heading: Samp Army Records 36-Run Victory Despite No-Ball Controversy
Samp Army secured a 36-run win over New York Strikers, who were restricted to 99/7 in their 10 overs. Hazrat Bilal, who bowled one over, took a wicket and conceded nine runs, but his massive no-ball overshadowed the match’s outcome. Amir Hamza picked up three wickets in his two overs.
The Strikers chose to bowl first after winning the toss. Sharjeel Khan struggled and was dismissed for 14, and Faf du Plessis reached a rapid fifty off just 22 balls. He and Andries Gous formed an unbeaten 74-run partnership. Faf remained not out on 75 runs off 32 balls, including five boundaries and six sixes.