Cricket, the game steeped in tradition and subtlety, has seen its fair share of timeless moments. Among those are the outswings that have defied convention, confusing the players as well as the spectators. While the conventional means of dismissal such as being run out, caught, or bowled are the norm, there have been such moments when batsmen have been dismissed in the most bizarre and ridiculous ways possible. Such bizarre dismissals not only create an element of mystery surrounding the game but also become legends that are recounted for generations to come. Here are the five most Weirdest Dismissals in Cricket History. Weirdest Dismissals in Cricket History Batsman Match Details Mode of Dismissal Azhar Ali Pakistan vs. Australia, Abu Dhabi, 2018 Run Out Vasbert Drakes Border vs. Free State, South Africa, 2002 Timed Out Tom Pugh Gloucestershire vs. Northamptonshire, 1961 Leg Before Wicket (Jaw) Saurabh Tiwary India U-19 vs. South Africa U-19, Kuala Lumpur, 2008 Run Out (Runner's Mistake) Inzamam-ul-Haq Pakistan vs. India, Peshawar, 2006 Obstructing the Field Detailed Analysis of Weirdest Dismissals in Cricket History 1. Azhar Ali Image Source : Getty Images In a 2018 Test match between Pakistan and Australia in Abu Dhabi, Pakistani batsman Azhar Ali was a witness to Weirdest Dismissals in Cricket History that left everyone in the audience and the commentators stunned. Believing he had crossed the line, Azhar paused mid-delivery to consult with his teammate, Asad Shafiq. They were unaware that the ball had only fallen marginally short of the rope boundary. Australian fielder Mitchell Starc took advantage of the situation, picking up the ball and passing it to wicketkeeper Tim Paine, who immediately dislodged the bails. The Pakistani pair's lack of awareness resulted in an easy run-out, setting this event into cricketing legend. Also Read | Cricket Retirement Age: At What Age Cricketers Retire ? 2. Vasbert Drakes Image Source : Getty Images The "timed out" dismissal is cricket's rarity, where a batsman does not show up at the crease within the designated time.It happened in 2002 when West Indian cricketer Vasbert Drakes was a victim of this rare rule in a South African domestic game between Border and Free State. Owing to a delayed flight from the West Indies, Drakes was not able to reach the stadium in time. With Border's innings falling apart quickly, they were nine wickets down barely after 2 PM. Since Drakes was not there, the umpires had no other option but to declare him "timed out," which is one of the most peculiar dismissals in the history of cricket. 3. Tom Pugh Image Source : FaceBook During a county championship game between Gloucestershire and Northamptonshire in 1961, Gloucestershire captain Tom Pugh was faced by a delivery that caused him an unprecedented dismissal. In an attempt to move out of the way of a full toss by bowler David Larter, Pugh overestimated the trajectory of the ball, resulting in it hitting his jaw.The jolt not only resulted in a serious injury but also placed him directly in line with the stumps. The umpire, who was watching the scenario, ruled Pugh leg before wicket (LBW), making it one of the strangest LBW decisions ever. 4. Saurabh Tiwary Image Source : BCCI In the 2008 ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup in Kuala Lumpur, Indian batsman Saurabh Tiwary was in a strange situation. Struggling with fitness problems, Tiwary had engaged a runner to help with his innings.Confronted with a delivery he was unable to reach, the South African wicket-keeper grabbed the opportunity, removing the bails and calling for a stumping. Even though Tiwary was deep in his crease, replays showed that his runner had unknowingly gone out of the crease. The umpire therefore declared Tiwary out, displaying the intricacies and pitfalls of employing a runner in cricket. 5. Inzamam-ul-Haq Image Source : AFP In a 2006 One Day International match between India and Pakistan at Peshawar, Pakistani skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq was declared out in a way that stirred controversy among cricket fans.After he had played the ball to mid-off, Inzamam attempted to move his bat out of the way by lifting it. Standing outside his crease, his movement was interpreted as obstructing the field when the Indian team lodged an appeal.The umpire upheld the appeal, and Inzamam was given out. After the match, a puzzled Inzamam commented on his confusion over the rule, since earlier such incidents had led to varying results. Also Read | Top 10 Best Active Cricket Commentators [Updated 2025] Conclusion Cricket's rich tapestry is woven with threads of greatness, determination, and occasionally plain surprise. The Weirdest Dismissals in Cricket History attest to the sophisticated laws of the game and to the ever-present element of surprise. They warn the players as well as spectators that in cricket, as it is in life, one just never knows what lies ahead. Such incidents thrill and also instill the lessons of vigilance, adaptability, and proper understanding of the subtleties of the game.