League to continue, match referee says did not submit report, umpires charge Tamim with two offences
The fate of Dhaka Premier League’s match between Abahani Limited and Prime Doleshwar is hanging in balance as Cricket Committee of Dhaka Metropolis failed to come up with any solution after it was postponed due to an umpiring row. Doleshwar were 59-2 in 17 overs after dismissing Abahani for 191 runs in 42.4 overs in rain interrupted 45-over game when two umpires left the field in the face of verbal abuse by Abahani players.
Match referee Montu Datta left the matter for CCDM to decide after he failed to convince the umpires, who were reported sick.
CCDM officials said that they could not make any headway regarding the matter and referred the case to the Bangladesh Cricket Board to make a final decision as it could not complete the remaining part of the game on the reserve day.
Controversy seemed to be frequently haunting the ongoing league as several instances occurred that stained the image of the traditional 50-over cricket tournament and things are getting rustier.
CCDM officials and match referee Montu gave contradictory statements regarding the status of the crucial match that is considered to be vital for both the teams as far as their chance of clinching the championship is concerned.
According to the DPL coordinator Amin Khan, match referee in his match report stated that the match had to be stopped due to sudden illness of umpire Tanvir Ahmed and Gazi Sohel.
‘He [match referee] was doubtful whether they [umpires] can recover in time to officiate the game,’ Amin told reporters at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.
‘So he decided there will be no game today,’ he said on Monday.
Amin brushed off the allegation against Abahani cricketers, especially captain Tamim Iqbal, who was seen arguing with umpire Sohel furiously after a stumping appeal against Doleshwar batsman Roqibul Hasan was turned down.
Abusive words were hurled at the umpires both in and outside the ground that left the match officials feeling unsecured.
Amin said Montu had no complaints against any particular cricketer or clubs and neither had he mentioned anything that could suggest that unruly supporters were responsible for the ill fate of the match.
‘There is nothing against any cricketer, organiser or supporters in match referee report. We can only go by his observation,’ he said.
When contacted Montu said he is yet to prepare the match report as that is expected to be submitted only after the match is over. Montu said he only sent a letter to CCDM explaining the condition that in no way can be considered as formal report.
‘How can I submit my match report before the game is completed?’ asked Montu in a surprising tone.
‘Until the match is completed you cannot really propose any action against anyone,’ said Montu.
‘You cannot take anyone to task without hearing and if we had completed the match today we could have followed the steps required to implement our verdict,’ he said.
Montu, however, admitted umpires brought certain allegation about Abahani captain Tamim, which he will duly mention in his formal report.
‘I also have to include what umpires have written against Tamim Iqbal,’ he said adding that the left-hander was charged with level 2.1.3 and 2.1.4 breaches of code of conduct.
The match referee added that Doleshwar batsman Nasir Hossain, who was also vocal during the time, also could be brought to the book for level 2.1.3 offence.
Meanwhile, the CCDM on Monday decided that the other matches of the league will go ahead as per schedule despite the current crisis remaining unresolved.
-With New Age input
