Bangladesh: Umpire-Player trouble in Dhaka League (15 January 1999)
In an unprecedented manner, two local officials tried to attack a Lankan umpire during the crucial Premier Division League match between holders Abahani and title aspirants Biman at the Bangabandhu National Stadium Friday
15-Jan-1999
15 January 1999
Bangladesh: Umpire-Player trouble in Dhaka League
Zahid Newaz in Dhaka
In an unprecedented manner, two local officials tried to attack a
Lankan umpire during the crucial Premier Division League match between
holders Abahani and title aspirants Biman at the Bangabandhu National
Stadium Friday.
The officials of batting side Abahani and some spectators rushed to
Sri Lankan Philip Mendis when he took the bails from the stumps for a
tea break after 64.4 overs were played and the willow-holders were 229
for five wickets.
The angry officials tried to assault Mendis thinking that the umpires
had abandoned the match as just before the incident Abahani skipper
Akram Khan came to the rope to say something to the match referee
after he had a hot exchange with the Lankan.
However, other senior men of Abahani could refrain the angry officials
from the bitter incident amidst huge hue and cry from the supporters
who were apparently showing agitation against Mendis for his some
"controversial decisions" earlier.
Later, it was clear that former national captain Akram had come near
to the pavilion to lodge complaint with the match referee after he was
being blocked from taking runs by Biman bowler Sohel, but "umpire
Mendis didn't respond to his complaint".
In the meantime, the umpires announced the tea break keeping Akram
Khan near the rope creating confusion among the Abahani batsmen in the
pavilion, their officials as well as some 3,000 spectators in the
galleries.
Akram, who was not supposed to come near the rope for any reason while
the match was going on, later told the newsmen that he got angry as
umpire Mendis asked him "not to talk like a stupid" as he lodged the
complaint.
In local cricket, assault of local umpires was not a rare incident in
previous years. Their many controversial decisions had also created
confusion among the players and spectators for which the league
organisers have been forced to bring umpires from abroad.
However, any attack attempt on a foreigh umpire took place for the
first time Friday. In another incident recently, Pakistani Aamir Hanif
had threw ball towards the same umpire, Mendis after he accused the
bowler of ball doctoring. Hanif was cautioned later.
Source :: CricInfo365