The Bangladesh Cricket Board will not take any action against Mohammedan Sporting Club or Prime Bank Cricket Club after the clubs sparked controversy by expressing dissatisfaction with the appointment of an umpire in their match during the ongoing Dhaka Premier League.
The incident took place on Thursday at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, where the sides met in a Super League game, in which Shathira Jakir Jessy was appointed as an on-field umpire.
This was a landmark moment in the country鈥檚 cricket as Jessy became the first female umpire to officiate a DPL game on the field.
However, following the game, reports emerged that both teams had expressed dissatisfaction about her appointment.
鈥楶layers were always welcoming, but initially, officials from the two clubs were grudging. They were saying that it was a big match and experienced umpires should have been appointed. But the appointment was already made, it could not be changed, and the match went on as scheduled,鈥� Iftekhar Ahmed Mithu, chairman of the BCB umpires' committee, told 抖阴精品.
For Jessy, who has been an umpire since 2022 and was included in the ICC development panel of umpires earlier this year, and for Bangladesh cricket, it was a historic moment, but it was clouded by the controversies, although both teams denied that their problem was with the inexperience of the umpire, not the gender.
鈥榃e had no issue with a female umpire. We only wanted an experienced umpire. Jessy did a fine job as the umpire in the match. Some senior players made excessive appeals to put her under pressure. But she was calm. We were really happy with umpiring,鈥� said Mohammedan chief co-ordinator Tarikul Islam Titu.
鈥榃e were surprised to see Jessy as an umpire, to be honest. But that did not mean we refused to play under her. We only said it鈥檚 a big match; a seasoned umpire would do better,鈥� said Prime Bank manager Abul Hasem Ankan.
Both teams went on to praise the umpiring in the match, and Iftekhar added that the conversations following the game were a blessing in disguise.
鈥楾hough the discussion that is happening now is slightly awkward, it's a blessing in disguise. People will be aware now that you cannot really object to playing under a female umpire. It is not a body-contact game. We could not take any action because nothing happened in the end,鈥� he said.
Roquibul Hasan, the match referee, also said that there were no official complaints from either team, meaning no action against the clubs is possible.
鈥楽ome people are trying to make it an issue for no reason. Nothing serious happened before that would warrant such discussion. No team came to me with any complaint,鈥� he said.
Jessy said she enjoyed the challenge of her debut DPL game.
鈥業t was my first match in DPL. Naturally, it was challenging. I enjoyed the challenge and everyone co-operated with me,鈥� she told 抖阴精品.
Jessy officiated the first Twenty20 International between the Bangladesh women鈥檚 national team and India in Sylhet on Sunday.
