Ball tampering allegations in Bangladesh League
Controversy struck for the second time in this year's Bangladesh Premier League, when Surjo Torun's captain Minhajul Abedin, one of Bangladesh's most respected cricketers, raised ball tampering allegations against Pakistani left arm spinner Mohammad
Syedur Rahman
14-Apr-2000
Controversy struck for the second time in this year's Bangladesh
Premier League, when Surjo Torun's captain Minhajul Abedin, one of
Bangladesh's most respected cricketers, raised ball tampering
allegations against Pakistani left arm spinner Mohammad Hussain, in
the Abahani - Surjo Torun clash, on Tuesday. Put into bat first, Abahani
unbeaten throughout the tournament, were able to make just 207/9 in
their 50 over allotment.
Openers Azam Iqbal (29) and Mehrab Hussain (75) put on 59 runs un 14
overs for Abahani, but then Enamul Haq mesmerized the Abahani line up
with his left arm spin, picking up four wickets for 40 runs. Sanchay at no
7 made 25 not out, and with some minor contributions down the order
Abahani crawled past the 200 run mark. Surjo Torun's innings had the
worst possible start losing three wickets with just 17 on the board.
Al Shahriar and skipper Minhajul Abedin helped take the score to 88
when Mohammad Hussain had Shahriar caught by Minhaz for 33. Torun
lost another wicket, that of wicket keeper Khaled Mashud for just 1. With
the score on 89/5, Enamul Haque came and backed up his stunning
bowling performance with an amazing knock. Abedin still there went on
to make 65 before being bowled by Pakistani bowler Waqqas.
After that the productive partnership of 66, the last four wickets tumbled
for just seven runs and Enamul Haque was left stranded on the other end
with an unbeaten 40. Torun were dismissed for just 169. Very tight
bowling from Waqqas (8-1-19-1) and Mohammad Hussain (10-2-18-1)
were instrumental in Abahani's 38-run victory which put them on top of
the table, undefeated with 18 points.
Naimur Rahman (3/39) picked up the most wickets for Abahani. During
the Torun innings, skipper Minhajul Abedin complained that Abahani's
Mohammad Hussain had tampered with the ball and asked for the ball to
be changed but the umpires, both Pakistani, did not respond at all. Later
Abedin claimed that Hussain had lifted the leather off the ball using his
nail, but the umpires have once again ignored his appeal. This is the
second controversy between the local players and Pakistani imports, the
first being the assault on Bangladesh's ace pacer Hasibul Hussain by
Zahoor Elahi, to mar this year's one day league.