Bangladesh’s batter Towhid Hridoy expressed his disappointment over the umpiring standards during their match against South Africa at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium on Monday. Bangladesh narrowly lost the game, and Hridoy believes that some questionable umpiring decisions were pivotal in the outcome.
During Bangladesh’s run chase in the 17th over, a delivery from Ottneil Baartman struck Mahmudullah’s pad and rolled down to the fine leg boundary for four runs. South Africa appealed for an LBW, and the umpire raised his finger. Upon review, the decision was overturned, but according to existing rules, since the umpire had initially given it out, the ball was deemed dead, and Bangladesh was denied the four runs. Ultimately, Bangladesh lost the match by the same margin.
“To be honest, that was not a good call for us in such a tight match. In my point of view, the umpire gave that out but it was pretty hard on us. Those four runs could have changed the match scenario,” Hridoy told reporters after the game.
Hridoy further elaborated on the impact of the umpire’s decision: “The laws are not in my hands. In that time, those four runs were really important. Umpires can make a call and they are human too and can make mistakes. They also didn’t give wides which were wides on a few occasions. In this kind of a venue where low-scoring matches are taking place, one or two runs are a big thing. I think those four runs or two wides are close calls and I was given out on umpire’s call and there are room for improvements.”
Hridoy, who scored 37 off 34 balls, was given out LBW to a Kagiso Rabada delivery, with replays showing that the ball was just clipping the leg stump. “Actually, we were very much confident with that score and from that position I should have finished the match. It is difficult for a new batter to go and adjust to the conditions. In that position, I should have finished the match,” Hridoy admitted.
The narrow defeat and the contentious umpiring decisions have sparked a debate about the need for clarity and consistency in umpiring standards, particularly in crucial moments of the game. As Bangladesh reflects on the match, the focus will likely shift to improving their finishing in tight games and ensuring they are not at the mercy of close calls in the future.
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