Bangladesh umpire Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid Saikat feels that, as a fresher in the ICC elite panel of umpires, it will be challenging for him to officiate the opening game of the forthcoming ICC T20 World Cup, but he is set to embrace the challenge.
On Wednesday, ICC announced that Sharfuddoula will become the first Bangladeshi to conduct a match in the T20 World Cup when hosts USA take on their neighbouring Canada in Dallas on June 2.
‘Of course, it’s a matter of huge respect for me, as I am going to be the first-ever Bangladeshi to officiate the opening match of a World Cup. However, being a fresher in the ICC elite panel, I think it will be a challenging task for me. Nevertheless, I am all set to accept it,’ Sharfuddoula said while talking to ¶¶Òõ¾«Æ·.
‘Officiating a match in the World Cup is nothing new to me, but I never conducted the first game of a marquee competition, which is why I am really excited.’
Sharfuddoula, 47, took charge of five matches at last year’s ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup and has also been on the panel at two ICC Women’s Cricket World Cups and the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2018.
Sharfuddoula, 47, took charge of five matches at last year’s ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup and has also been on the panel at two ICC Women’s Cricket World Cups and the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2018.
Sharfuddoula will leave Dhaka for USA on Saturday to feature in the World Cup.