Watch: Usama Mir celebrates diving catch off free hit, concedes second run before realisation

Watch: Usama Mir, unaware that the first ball of the second over of the 2023 BBL clash between Sydney Thunder and Melbourne Stars was a free hit, took a brilliant diving catch at third man, but was left with a sheepish smile after realising his efforts were in vain.

Mark Steketee bowled a front-foot no ball to Cameron Bancroft on the first ball of Sydney’s innings on Saturday (December 23), resulting in a free hit. The batter took a wild swing on the re-bowled ball, a slower one outside the off stump. However, he mistimed to third man where Mir took a fine catch diving forward. He immediately went up in celebration and was left confused when his teammate did not join in but instead asked him to release the ball.

He was later informed that it was a free hit, leaving Mir amused.

The batters, who were initially keen to run a single, eventually ran two due to the delay in releasing the ball. Sydney, chasing Melbourne’s 173, won by five wickets.