SA vs BAN: Bangladesh Team Director Khaled Mahmud Urges ICC To Bring Back Neutral Umpires Amid "Poor Umpiring" In First Test

Bangladesh cricket team director Khaled Mahmud on Sunday demanded the ICC to bring back neutral umpires in international fixtures after several decisions went against them on the fourth day of the ongoing first Test against South Africa at Kingsmead in Durban.

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the ICC had decided to allow umpires from host nations to stand for international matches. The umpiring howlers in the first Test came under the spotlight on the fourth day as seven decisions between on-field umpires – Marais Erasmus and Adrian Holdstock – were changed via DRS (Decision Review System).

SA vs BAN: Certain decisions went against us: Khaled Mahmud

South Africa set Bangladesh a target of 274 in the fourth innings and the visitors were reduced to 11 for three at the end of the day. Mahmud said that had it not been for poor umpiring, Bangladesh would have a low target to chase.

“I think umpires play a big role behind a Test match and a lot of this depends on their decisions. Since morning everyone has seen the umpiring and there is nothing to hide,” Mahmud told reporters after the gameplay of Day 4.

“Umpires are the judges and we respect them but we could have picked up a wicket by taking a review but out of fear we did not go for it,” Mahmud referred to Keegan Petersen’s possible dismissal when he was hit on pads by Khaled Ahmed while batting on 14.

Petersen went on to score 36 and stitched an important partnership of 68 runs with skipper Dean Elgar. Mahmud requested ICC to consider neutral umpires after the inconvenience on the fourth day.

“To be honest, I haven’t seen such inconsistent umpiring for a long time. Now everything is open and we feel ICC should see if neutral umpires can be provided,” Mahmud said.

Bangladesh needs 263 runs more to win the first Test with Najmul Hossain Shanto (5*) and senior player Mushfiqur Rahim (0*) batting at the crease for the visitors.

Also Read: SA vs BAN: Taskin Ahmed And Shoriful Islam Ruled Out Of The Second South Africa Test