7 months ago
Bangladeshi Umpire Officiates in IND-NZ ODI Amid Tensions
There was a cricket match between India and New Zealand on January 11, 2024.
A Bangladeshi umpire named Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid Saikat was one of the on-field umpires for this match.
This happened even though there is a big disagreement between India and Bangladesh.
The disagreement is about Bangladeshi players not being allowed to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
The match took place in Vadodara, India.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has also asked to move their 2026 T20 World Cup matches outside India because they are worried about player safety.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) is looking into this request.
Bangladeshi umpire Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid Saikat officiated as an on-field umpire in the India vs New Zealand ODI on January 11, 2024.
The match took place at the Baroda Cricket Association Stadium in Vadodara.
The event occurred amid diplomatic tensions between India and Bangladesh over the banning of Bangladeshi players from the IPL.
BCB has requested ICC to move their 2026 T20 World Cup matches outside India citing 'player safety and well-being.'
BCB clarified that Saikat is an ICC-contracted umpire and is automatically released for ICC assignments.
- Who
- Bangladeshi umpire Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid Saikat
- What
- Officiated as an on-field umpire in India vs New Zealand ODI
- Where
- Baroda Cricket Association Stadium, Vadodara
- When
- January 11, 2024
- Why
- Amid diplomatic tensions over IPL ban on Bangladeshi players and BCB's request to move 2026 T20 World Cup matches
BCB's Stance
ICC's Stance
Umpire's Contract
BCB's Stance
BCB states that the umpire is not contracted with them and is automatically released for ICC assignments.
ICC's Stance
ICC has not publicly contradicted BCB's statement but is considering Bangladesh's request to move matches.
Key facts
- Umpire
- Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid Saikat
- Match
- India vs New Zealand ODI
- Location
- Baroda Cricket Association Stadium, Vadodara
- Date
- January 11, 2024
- Dispute
- Bangladeshi players banned from IPL
- BCB's Request
- Move 2026 T20 World Cup matches outside India
- ICC's Response
- Promised to pay attention to BCB's concerns
Quotes
Iftekhar Rahman
BCB's umpire department chairman
“He (Saikat) is an ICC-contracted umpire, and we are stating clearly that he is not contracted with us (BCB). Our contract stipulates that whenever he has an ICC assignment, he is automatically on leave from his duties with us. I don't need to issue any NOC. The contract states that if he has any ICC engagement, he must be automatically released. I have no authority to decide whether to grant permission or not.”
wionews.com
Sources
Bangladesh's Sharfuddoula officiates during IND vs NZ 1st ODI amid T20 World Cup row; BCB says ‘There is no authority…’
BCB offical says Bangladesh umpire in India vs NZ Vadodara ODI 'not contracted with us'
