Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has called for the reinstatement of neutral umpires in international cricket, seemingly in response to two plumbs lbws in quick succession being overturned in favour of Bangladesh during their Test series in South Africa.
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Shakib, who left the tour for personal reasons, wrote on Twitter about the need for ICC to bring back neutral umpires. Although there was no direct mention of the two decisions, the timing of the tweet, and the inclusion of the “#SAvBAN” hashtag suggests a link between the two.
“I think it’s time for #Icc to back to neutral umpires as covid situation is ok in most cricket playing countries. #SAvBAN”
I think it’s time for #Icc to back to neutral umpires as covid situation is ok in most cricket playing countries. #SAvBAN
— Shakib Al Hasan (@Sah75official) April 3, 2022
This tweet came after two on-field umpire decisions went against Bangladesh bowlers, but were later overturned by the third umpire after DRS referral. The first of these came off Ebadot Hossain’s bowling in the 19th over, with Saral Erwee given not out and then out, and the second was in 38th over, when Dean Elgar suffered the same fate after a delivery from Taskin Ahmed. In both, the ball passed close to the edge before hitting pad. At the time of the Elgar dismissal, seven on-field decisions had been overturned during the Test match.
While concerns have been raised over the decision-making by home umpires, an investigation by ESPNcricinfofound no evidence of bias in favour of the home side in games involving non-neutral umpires.
Non-neutral umpires were re-introduced following the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, allowing to minimise the amount of travel match officials were required to take.
