Bangladesh should have been banned, says Harbhajan Singh

The final-over tiff between the Bangladesh team and the Sri Lankan team in the 6th T20I of the Nidahas Trophy T20 tri-series on Friday called for wide criticism of the players of Bangladesh. Among those who have demanded action against the parties involved is Harbhajan Singh who has called for a ban on Bangladesh cricketers from international cricket.

Bangladesh skipper Shakib al Hasan was inches away from having his team disqualified as he asked his players to come off the field as the tempers flew between the two teams after an umpiring decision went against them.

Bangladesh was chasing 160 for victory and needed 12 runs from the last over. Isuru Udana bowled the final over for Sri Lanka and bowled a head-high bouncer on the first ball. Udana followed it up with another high bouncer which led to Mustafizur Rahman’s run-out. It was then that Bangladesh players, led by captain Shakib came out onto the boundary line and started protesting the umpire’s call, who initially called it a no-ball but then changed his decision.

Bangladesh, with the help of Mahmudullah, clinched victory in the last over to set up a final date with India on Sunday. However, the on-field incident was topped up by ugly off-field incidents too as there were bodily contacts between the players of the two sides, yelling and even a broken glass door of the Bangladesh dressing-room.

Ahead of the final against India, Bangladesh Cricket Board and the skipper Shakib came out to apologize for the damage and commotion. Harbhajan Singh said that Bangladesh cricket team may have lost a few fans after the ‘incident’.

Looking back, one will feel ashamed, says Harbhajan Singh

“I am talking about the incident, though I have been involved in many such incidents myself. This is one such an incident that once you look back, you will always feel ashamed. It was a very sad thing for cricket what has happened and the Bangladesh cricket team may have lost a few fans,” Harbhajan told India Today.

Moreover, the off-spinner felt that the fine imposed by the ICC was not adequate and that Bangladesh team needed to be banned for a few games. This incident is in light after increasing incidents of an altercation and multiple breaches of the Spirit of Cricket on various occasions. Harbhajan believes that the Bangladesh players were let off leniently.

“Of course they should not have done what they have done. They can’t break things. There were some errors in the umpiring, but that can happen during a game. You can’t ask your players to come out. And after that in celebration, you can’t really break the window.”

“Chris Broad should have taken a serious note of what has happened and I am surprised that they got only 25 percent of their match-fee fine. I think they should have been banned for a couple of games. The whole team should be banned,” Harbhajan added.