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Cricket News: “Should have been chasing 170”: Bangladesh upset with umpiring in Durban | Bangladesh upset with umpiring in 1st Test vs SA

Bangladesh have been left disappointed by the umpiring in the ongoing first Test against South Africa, with all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan and director Khaled Mahmud leading a chorus of discontent. A number of decisions – particularly LBW – had gone against Bangladesh in the first session on the fourth day, prompting calls to reinstate neutral umpires for international matches.

“There was no hiding from the [poor] umpiring in today’s play,” said Mahmud. “A number of decisions went against us. We also missed out on a wicket when the boys seemed scared of taking a review. If we got those decisions, we might be chasing 180 instead of 270. To be really honest, I have seen such inconsistency in umpiring after a long time. But the umpires are the best judge on the field. We have to accept the decisions.”

The instances that Mahmud refers to begin as early as the fifth over in South Africa’s second innings. Dean Elgar was struck on the back leg but was given not out by umpire Marais Erasmus, with ball tracking showing the ball hitting off-stump but not enough to overturn the decision on review.

Fellow umpire Adrian Holdstock had his not out decision for an lbw against Sarel Erwee overturned in the 19th over. According to ESPNCricinfo’s live commentary, it “looked so out to the naked eye and it was a surprise that the on-field call was not given despite a screeching appeal”.

Dean Elgar then looked absolutely plumb in the 38th over, which was also given not out. It was overturned on review, and gave Taskin Ahmed his first wicket for the Test.

Bangladesh upset with umpiring: Shakib calls for neutral umpires

Shakib Al Hasan, who is unavailable for this Test series due to personal reasons, said that it’s time to reintroduce neutral umpires. After COVID-19 situation put a halt to cricket in 2020, it then brought about a situation where the ICC introduced home umpires to reduce the amount of travel.

“I think it’s time for ICC to get back to neutral umpires as the COVID situation is OK in most cricket playing countries,” Shakib tweeted.

Bangladesh selector and former captain Habibul Bashar was in agreeance.

“I totally agree with Shakib,” Bashar said. “Since Covid protocols are all but over, we should go back to neutral umpires. Umpires make mistakes but definitely neutral umpires ensure everyone gets the advantage. We have seen that on and off in this series. The DRS is certainly helpful but the umpire’s call isn’t really going in our favour.

“When you have a neutral umpire in the middle, even if he makes a mistake, you don’t think it is deliberate. We have seen many decisions in this series which could have gone our way, but didn’t.”

Bangladesh will start day five in a difficult position at 11/3, still in need of 263 runs to win their first Test against South Africa. Spinners Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer were outstanding on the fourth evening, ripping through the Bangladesh top order to leave the home side as strong favourites heading into the final day in Durban.