The Dhaka Premier League (DPL) match between Mohammedan Sporting and Prime Bank on Thursday was marred by controversy over the appointment of a female umpire, Shathira Jakir Jessy. Jessy became the first female umpire from Bangladesh to officiate in a DPL match, but her historic moment was overshadowed by the discontent expressed by team officials from both sides.
The Cricket Committee of Dhaka Metropolis (CCDM) faced criticism for appointing a female umpire, with team officials reportedly unhappy with the decision. The incident gained widespread attention, with players like Tamim Iqbal and Mushfiqur Rahim facing criticism for their alleged involvement.
“More than the players, the team officials were vocal regarding this,” said a Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) source. “Yes, they were unhappy that BCB had appointed a female umpire, but the match had to go on,” confirmed BCB umpires’ committee chairman Iftekhar Ahmed Mithu.
The controversy escalated when Mushfiqur Rahim was controversially ruled out caught behind, despite replays showing his foot was over the boundary rope. The absence of video reviews in the match led to the on-field umpires’ decision standing.
However, Iftekhar Ahmed later clarified that the clubs did not register a formal complaint and that the issue stemmed from the umpire’s experience rather than her gender. “There was no formal complaint to us from either club,” he said. “Some are suggesting the players were reluctant, but that’s completely wrong.”
“Prime Bank’s manager, Shikdar Abul Hashem Kankan, and Mohammedan’s Tarikul Islam Tito have admitted that they expressed dissatisfaction due to inexperienced umpires, not because they were female,” he added.
The incident has sparked a debate about the role of female umpires in cricket and the need to encourage their appointments. Despite the controversy, Jessy’s historic achievement remains a significant milestone for women in sports.
