SA vs BAN: Bangladesh to lodge complaint with ICC over umpire's response to sledging issues in the first Test

Bangladesh earlier revealed their displeasure over the on-field umpiring decisions that went in favour of the host nation, South Africa and are now set lodge an official complaint to the ICC on the umpires for not controlling the sledging from players of South Africa. As many as seven decisions were changed after DRS reviews during the fourth day’s play and BCB managing director Khaled Mahmud had requested for neutral umpires to ICC which is a possibility now with the improved COVID conditions.

Though sledging has become a common factor these days, Bangladesh felt that South Africa’s sledging was ‘deplorable’ and the on-field umpires should have taken notice of it. Bangladesh were skittled for just 53 on the final day as Keshav Maharaj ran through the batting order with a seven-wicket haul and Simon Harmer chipped in with three as well.

The hosts have taken a lead of 1-0 in the two-match Test series while Bangladesh is yet to recover from the decisions that went in favour of South Africa on the fourth day’s play.

It wasn’t acceptable: BCB Cricket Operations chief

BCB cricket operations chief Jalal Yunus mentioned that there will be a formal complaint lodged about the first Test over the sledging issues and noted that they have already written to ICC about the umpiring after the three-match ODI series.

He added that both sides were involved in sledging but it was South Africa who went over the line and reckoned that the ICC should look into appointing neutral umpires for Tests instead of umpires being appointed from the host nation.

“We have already lodged one complaint about the umpiring after the ODI series. The match referee had initially misbehaved with our manager Nafees Iqbal but then softened when we gave him a written complaint. We will lodge another official complaint about this Test match,” BCB cricket operations chief Jalal Yunus told ESPNcricinfo.

“Sledging definitely took place from both sides, but when they started it and took it overboard, we complained to the umpires. It wasn’t acceptable. We properly condemn it. We have to accept the umpires’ decisions, but the ICC must reinstate neutral umpires.” he added.