Former national cricketer and ICC international panel umpire Enamul Haque said on Friday that he has no intention to quit umpiring despite speculation of his imminent retirement.
Enamul’s performance as an umpire came under greater scrutiny after he made a fatal mistake during a one-day international against India recently.He gave Indian batsman Ambati Rayudu caught behind off Mashrafee bin Muratza to a ball that hit him only at his thigh pad during the third ODI in Mirpur.
Rayudu reacted in fury and India also reportedly raised the issue to appropriate forum, leaving Enamul facing an uncertainty over his career.
It was reported that Enamul was considering giving up umpiring and taking the position of national cricket team manager, though BCB officials rubbished the report.
The report suggested that Enamul is suffering from an ill health which made him thinking over his future as an umpire.
Speaking to New Age on Friday, Enamul termed the report as ‘baseless’ and he is still looking to continue as an international umpire.
‘There is no question of leaving the umpiring. The allegation about my umpiring fitness is also baseless,’ he said.
‘I have got the basic fitness that is required to conduct an international match.
‘I have no idea where this report came from.’
Enamul, however, said he is open to take the role of national team manager provided he gets the right offer.
‘As per as I am concerned the BCB is looking for a full time manger as it wants to reduce the burden of Sujan [Khaled Mahmudl],’ he said. ‘I am open to any offer from the board and if that includes the manager’s role than why not.
‘But primarily the post needs to be vacated,’ said Enamul, who played 10 Tests and 29 ODIs for Bangladesh and was known for his all-round skills.
BCB insiders said Enamul was made to rethink his umpiring career after he failed to reach to his desired level despite officiating international matches for nearly nine years.
He made his debut as an international umpire in 2006 and conducted just one Test and 53 ODIs, mostly at home.
The ICC did not dare to give him any more Tests after his debut in a game involving New Zealand and Zimbabwe in 2012. He was also ignored in the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand after finishing last among 19 international umpires during a pre-tournament assessment.
Apart from Aleem Dar, Ian Gould and Nigel Llong, the other nine umpires of ICC Elite Panel are his junior as international umpire.
Kumar Dharmasena (Sri Lanka), Marais Erasmus (South Africa) Chris Gaffaney (New Zealand), Richard Illingworth (England), Richard Kettleborough (England), Sundaram Ravi (India), Paul Reiffel (Australia), Rod Tucker (Australia) and Bruce Oxenford (Australia) have all made their international debut as an umpire after Enamul.
While the ICC promoted them as Elite Panel Umpire, Enamul is struggling to get matches as a local appointee. During the last three home series against Pakistan, India and South Arica, Enamul was given four ODIs while fellow local umpire Sharfuddoula Ibne Saikat was chosen for five games.
Enamul refused to accept the fact that his performance as an umpire declined.
‘I don’t think it that way,’ said Enamul. ‘I cannot comment more on my assessment report because it’s a confidential matter,’ he said.
-With New Age input
