Desk Report,
Sharfuddaula said, ‘Entering the elite panel is the reward for World Cup performance’
Umpire Sharfuddaula Ibne Shaheed believes that being included in the elite panel is the reward for the performance he made while officiating at the World Cup, the ‘image’ he created. The first Bangladeshi umpire from Bangladesh has entered the ICC’s elite panel today.
Sharfuddaula said, ‘Entering the elite panel is the reward for World Cup performance’
Sharfuddaula officiated at the World Cup held in India at the end of last year. He was on-field in 5 matches in the tournament. He is also the first Bangladeshi umpire to officiate as an on-field umpire in the World Cup.
In an interview given to Prothom Alo regarding his responsibilities at the World Cup, the former left-arm spinner said, ‘Before going to the World Cup, I had said that getting the opportunity to play a match in the World Cup was expected for me. When there is expectation, there is also preparation. From that point of view, I was mentally prepared. I never wanted to make such a big deal of it. I am the first Bangladeshi to play a match in the World Cup, it is definitely a matter of pride. However, for me, the biggest achievement in umpiring is officiating a Test match. This time, a new chapter has been added to my career. I am satisfied with my performance. I think I have earned the respect.’ However, Sharfuddaula also believes that it was his performance in the World Cup that brought him to the elite panel. In an interview with BCB today after joining the elite panel, he said, ‘I was able to impress by umpiring well, I was able to build an image. I was not nervous even as the first Bangladeshi to go to the World Cup. I think today’s achievement is the reward for that.’ Sharfuddaula, who is known by the name Saikat, has also looked back at the highest level of umpiring. Recalling his first match in competitive cricket, he said, ‘I went to a match of the third division qualifiers at field number 8 in Dhanmondi. At that time, I did not know that much about the rules and regulations when I came to umpiring. I did not know what shoes to wear. I went wearing formal shoes. Seeing this, a scorer said, “Brother Saikat, they don’t umpire in this shoe.” Then it was a wide and a bye with one ball. I signaled a wide, and I also signaled a bye. Actually, you don’t have to signal a bye if it’s a wide. That’s where it started. After that, I gained a lot of experience.”
