Sri Lanka to consult match referee on controversial decision by third umpire in 2nd T20I against Bangladesh

Sri Lanka might take action on a controversial umpiring decision that took place during their second T20I against Bangladesh in Sylhet on Wednesday (March 6). The incident happened during Bangladesh’s innings when Soumya Sarkar was facing fast bowler Binura Fernando in the fourth over.

On the first ball of the over, Sarkar was given out caught behind by the on-field umpire. It was a back-of-a-length delivery from Fernando and Sarkar went for a pull. However, he failed to make good contact with the ball before the wicketkeeper grabbed the ball.

As soon as the on-field umpire adjudged Sarkar out, he took the review. The replays showed a spike but the third umpire reckoned that there was a gap between the ball and the ball.

The umpire reckoned that the spike appeared after the ball had passed the bat. There was a also clear noise on the stump mic as the ball was passing near the bat but the third-umpire eventually gave his decision in the favour of the batter, much to the frustration of the Sri Lankan players.

DRAMA! Clear noise > on-field umpire signals out > review taken > 3rd umpire rules not out despite UltraEdge!

Bangladesh-Sri Lanka always throws up a controversy 😶
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.#BANvsSL #FanCode pic.twitter.com/8hH9i65SD6

— FanCode (@FanCode) March 6, 2024

Sri Lanka to consult match referee:

Disappointed with the decision by the third umpire, Sri Lanka are contemplating consulting match referee Andy Pycroft, according to their assistant coach Naveed Nawaz. The Islanders want a clear picture of the incident. Speaking at the end of the game, Nawaz made it clear that the decision did not impress the Sri Lankan camp at all.

“The on-field umpire had given him out and I am sure the TV umpire got to have conclusive evidence to overturn the on-field umpire’s decision,” said Nawaz.

“We haven’t seen the footage or anything like that but it was clear that there was a spike, we saw it on the big screen and we might have to take it up to the match referee and see what actually happened there. The footage that we have got on our screens were not enough to say anything but I am sure the TV umpire had evidence to overturn the decision,” he added.

Talking about the game, Bangladesh beat Sri Lanka by eight wickets to draw level in the three-match series. Asked to bat first, Sri Lanka scored 165 for 5 in the allotted 20 overs.

In reply, Bangladesh chased down the total inside 19 overs with captain Najmul Hossain Shanto’s unbeaten 52 leading the way. The third and final T20I is scheduled to take place on Saturday (March 9).