The second T20I between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh triggered a big debate in the cricketing fraternity after a controversial decision was taken by the third umpire on Wednesday. While the on-field umpire’s decision over a caught-behind call went in the favour of the bowling side, the batter decided to use a DRS referral. After a lengthy review, the third umpire gave the decision in the favour of the batting team, overruling the on-field decision despite witnessing a spike as the ball passed the bat, sending the contest into utter chaos.
The incident took place when Sri Lankan pacer Binura Fernando got Bangladesh batter Saumya Sarkar caught behind. While it looked like the batter would have to return to the dressing room, the TV umpire Masudur Rahman overturned the decision, citing a lack of conclusive evidence to support the initial call.
The Sri Lankan camp, baffled by the third umpire’s decision, confronted the on-field officials to seek clarity on the matter, but Sarkar remained not out.
Sri Lanka’s assistant coach, Naveed Nawaz, suggested that the team would take up the matter with the match referee to seek clarity.
“The on-field umpire had given him out and I am sure the TV umpire got to have conclusive evidence to overturn the on-field umpire’s decision,” said Nawaz. “We haven’t seen the footage or anything like that but it was clear that there was a spike, we saw it on the big screen and we might have to take it up to the match referee and see what actually happened there. The footage that we have got on our screens were not enough to say anything but I am sure the TV umpire had evidence to overturn the decision.”
Sarkar was even seen heading back to the pavillion upon witnessing the spike on the big screen as the ball passed his back but was delighted to see the eventual decision coming in his favour.
“I mean it was big issue and the first wicket and it could have given us a head start. Obviously, on a track like this any wicket is crucial,” Naveed further said.
Chasing a target of 166 runs, Bangladesh reached the target comfortably.
