BCB launches investigation into controversial stumping in Dhaka Premier League

The BCB's anti-corruption officials and the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League's technical committee are looking into a controversial stumping incident from a match between Gulshan Cricket Club and Shinepukur Cricket Club at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka on Wednesday.

The incident took place in the dying moments of the game, when Shinepukur batter Minhajul Abedin was out stumped even though he had enough time to make his ground. Minhajul stepped out against offspinner Naeem Islam. The ball was delivered wide. Mihajul withdrew from his shot. Wicketkeeper Alif Hasan collected the ball wide of the stumps, and failed to break the stumps with his first attempt. Minhajul stood still, bat grounded just outside the crease. He even seemed to pull the bat further away from the crease. Alif broke the stumps on his second attempt.

On Thursday, the BCB said in a statement* that it had "taken note of the concerns".

"The BCB Anti-Corruption Unit and the League's Technical Committee have promptly initiated an investigation into the alleged irregularities associated with the match," the BCB's statement said. "The BCB remains committed to ensuring fairness and discipline in all cricketing activities under its jurisdiction and will take the necessary actions based on the findings of the investigation."

The timing of the dismissal raised eyebrows. Shinepukur, battling for survival in the tournament with just two points in nine outings, needed just six runs in seven overs to beat Gulshan, who were on 11 points. Minhajul's dismissal ended their innings on 173, and they lost by five runs.

On-air commentator Mazhar Uddin Omi expressed astonishment, saying, "This is shocking, I have never seen anything like this before."

On Wednesday, the Cricket Committee of Dhaka Metropolis (CCDM), the BCB body that organises the league, had said that it had informed the board's anti-corruption body about the incident, and were waiting for the umpires' report on the incident.

"We saw the footage. It was the last dismissal of the day. This sort of thing is usually the match referee's responsibility," CCDM's league coordinator Sabbir Ahmed said. "We are aware of the TV umpire sitting next to him also, so they must have studied the footage. They are supposed to give a report on the incident."

The Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League is Bangladesh's premier List A competition, on top of the Dhaka league pyramid. The last round of this season's competition concludes next week, before the top six teams battle for the title in the super league. The bottom three teams will fight for survival, as two teams are relegated every season.