2024-03-29 09:34:09
Bangladesh umpire Sharfuddaula Ibn Shaheed Saikat came to the attention of ICC for his good umpiring in bilateral series, ICC and continental events in the last few years. Sharfuddaula was admired for his beautiful and efficient match management on the field, success in decision-making and communication with the players.
There was a lot of discussion about why a Bangladeshi should not be included in the elite panel of the ICC. On Thursday, Sharfuddaula stopped that discussion and rewrote history. This 47-year-old umpire has joined the elite panel of the ICC as the first umpire of Bangladesh. By appointing him to the elite panel, the ICC says this opportunity is a reward that Sharfuddaula deserves.
ICC Chief Executive Geoff Allardyce congratulated the Bangladesh umpire and said, ‘I would like to congratulate Sharfuddaullah for joining the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires and acknowledge the achievement of being the first umpire from Bangladesh to be selected on this panel. This is his well-deserved reward for his consistent performances over the years in international matches and ICC tournaments.’
After a long stint as an ICC panel umpire, Sharfuddaullah entered the elite panel. The panel of umpires includes three more Bangladeshi umpires Gazi Sohail, Tanveer Ahmed and Masudur Rahman Mukul. Those concerned hope that the path opened by Sharfuddaulla will follow the same path at some point.