Cricket’s governing body in Asia on Monday rejected a complaint from Bangladesh that one of their batsman was obstructed by a Pakistani bowler in their recent Asia Cup final defeat. The complaint was rejected on the grounds that it was not reported by on-field umpires, an official said.
Ashraful Huq, chief executive of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), said Bangladesh officially complained about the last over of the final, which Bangladesh narrowly lost. “We had received Bangladesh’s complaint but since the incident was not reported by the on-field umpires nothing can be done,” Ashraful told AFP from Kuala Lumpur. Bangladesh had appealed to the ACC to review the final over, accusing Pakistani paceman Aizaz Cheema of deliberately blocking batsman Mahmudullah Riyad from taking a second run.
Pakistan beat Bangladesh by two runs to lift the four-nation Asia Cup after a thrilling final on Thursday. The Pakistan Cricket Board had expressed disappointment over Bangladesh’s complaint, calling it an “after thought” after defeat.
Ashraful, who also hailed from Bangladesh, said the International Cricket Council (ICC) had also turned down the complaint. “It could have happened then and there, in the final but since umpires and match-referee did not take any action then, so the matter is closed,” said Ashraful.
“I think the Bangladesh team played so well in the whole tournament, beating India and Sri Lanka — World Cup 2011 finalists — was no mean achievement and although they lost the final, the Bangladesh team won millions of hearts.”
field umpire can decide
distraction during match: The Pakistan Cricket Board officials at the National cricket Academy and some of the former cricketers have in general discussions came to the conclusion that only the on field umpire has the right to report the incident of Pakistan bowler blocking way of a Bangladeshi batsman during the final over of the Asia Cup that was won by Pakistan last week. “During a routine consultative discussion held at the National Cricket Academy between the NCA Officials and various former Pakistan cricketers a number of issues were discussed and deliberated upon,” revealed an official of the PCB.
He said: “Among other issues, the recent Asia Cup final between Pakistan and Bangladesh and complaint filed by the Bangladesh Cricket Board with a considerable delay regarding the purported incident that occurred in the last over of the final of Asia Cup match in Dhaka, was also discussed.” Director Game Development PCB, Intikhab Alam, speaking regarding the complaint filed by the BCB clarified and brought on record that, “as per Law 42.5 (a) of the Laws of Cricket, it is for either one of the umpires to decide whether any distraction or obstruction is willful or not.” “Therefore, if any distraction or obstruction was caused by any Pakistani player, as alleged by BCB, the same could have been validly raised, complained against and pursued by on-field umpires only. The fact is that no decision was taken up by the umpires at the relevant time as per the Laws of Cricket, which clearly reflects that no infringement of laws took place.” It is surprising rather astonishing that a complaint was lodged after a couple of days of the match, the official added.
ACC dismisses BD Asia Cup appeal
