Massive Controversy Involving Brian Bennett Hits Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan; ICC Rule Explained

Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan match - (Source: ScreenGrab/X)

On Monday, October 19, Zimbabwe and Afghanistan locked horns for match 2 of the tri-series involving Bangladesh. It was a one-sided affair as the Rahmat Shah-led side registered a 158 run win. The much-awaited contest was also marred by a massive controversy involving Brian Bennett.

Afghanistan, batting first, put 294 runs on the board courtesy of Sediqullah Atal’s century. In reply, Zimbabwe were 3 down for just 26. The controversy occurred before the fall of the 4th wicket, when Brian Bennett was clean bowled, but still not given out by the umpires.

Brian Bennett Survives a Controversial Decision

On the last ball of the 8th over, Amzatullah Omarzai bowled a brilliant delivery pitched at good length that kept low. Meanwhile, Brian Bennett couldn’t do much about it and his furniture got rattled. The Afghanistan team started to celebrate, while Bennett complained to the umpire that he was distracted by a towel that slipped out of Omarzai’s trousers during the run-up.

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The argument lasted long, and the umpire gave the decision in Bennett’s favour by signalling a dead ball. The Afghanistan team was not happy because they argued that Brian Bennett didn’t move away from the stumps and was ready to play the shot despite the towel dropping on the ground.

𝐅𝐚𝐧✯𝐁𝐚𝐛𝐚𝐫 𝐀𝐳𝐚𝐦 𝐁𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐬𓃵

@Bobi_1A

Biggest controversy of cricket history. 🥶 - Omarzai clean bowled the Brian Bennett, Omarzai towel was dropped just before the bowl delivered - The umpire called it dead ball. I think, Brian Bennett played it.😱

Oct 19, 2026, 11:05 PM

Nonetheless, Brian Bennett continued to bat and was dismissed shortly on 31 (40). The internet was divided and flooded with reactions.

ICC Rule Explained

If a bowler's or fielder's towel falls off during the bowler's run-up or execution of a delivery, the umpire can immediately declare a Dead Ball under MCC/ICC Law 20.4.2.7.

The entire law 20 is related to dead ball in cricket. Here umpire has the power to deem a ball dead if they find the batter was distracted by something before facing a delivery. Therefore, in this case, the umire was right to call the ball dead.

However, usually, a batter moves away when they gets distracted. So, Afghanistan were also right in their appeal that Brian Bennett went for the shot and used towel as an excuse or loophole in the rules to bail himself out from that situation.