![Bangladesh umpire Sharfuddoula Saikat [Source: @TUnlimitedd/x.com]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1768724209272_BangladeshumpireINDvsNZ3rdODI.jpg?type=hq)
Bangladesh umpire Sharfuddoula Saikat [Source: @TUnlimitedd/x.com]
Bangladesh’s stance on touring India might be stiff, but on the field, cricket seems to be playing by a very different script. While the Bangladesh Cricket Board continues to dig its heels in over security concerns, one familiar Bangladeshi face is very much part of the action in India.
Bangladesh umpire Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid Saikat is once again officiating on Indian soil, this time as the TV umpire in the third and final ODI between India and New Zealand at Indore. And that has left more than a few eyebrows raised.
Same series, same role, same questions
Saikat’s involvement in the ODI series has been steady throughout. He served as the third umpire in the opening game at Vadodara, followed it up in Rajkot and now finds himself in the same position for the series decider at Indore.
All this comes at a time when the Bangladesh Cricket Board has repeatedly told the International Cricket Council (ICC) that it is not willing to send the national team to India for next month’s T20 World Cup due to security concerns. The contrast could not be starker.
In recent talks with the ICC, the BCB once again pressed its case to have Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup group matches shifted out of India, preferably to Sri Lanka. The marquee event is scheduled to begin on February 7 but Bangladesh’s participation remains clouded in uncertainty.
The board’s position hardened further following the controversy around Mustafizur Rahman and his removal from Kolkata Knight Riders ahead of IPL 2026. That episode triggered strong reactions back home, including a government-backed ban on IPL broadcasts and promotions.
So why is Saikat officiating in India?
That is the million-dollar question. If India is being painted as unsafe for the national team, why is a Bangladeshi official allowed and willing to officiate matches across multiple Indian venues? The answer, according to the BCB, lies in paperwork rather than politics.
BCB umpires’ committee chairman Iftekhar Rahman clarified that Saikat is not operating under the BCB’s direct control. Speaking to Cricbuzz, Rahman explained that Saikat is an ICC-contracted official, and whenever the ICC assigns him a series, the BCB is bound to release him.
Government tone remains uncompromising
The messaging from Bangladesh’s government, however, continues to be firm. Sports advisor Azif Nazrul recently stated that Bangladesh would not compromise its dignity by travelling to India. He also confirmed that while the ICC has reached out, it has not yet fully grasped the seriousness of the security concerns raised.
Meanwhile, in another twist to the tale, Bangladesh have already announced their T20 World Cup squad. Litton Das has been named captain with Saif Hassan appointed vice-captain.
As per the schedule, Bangladesh are set to open their Group C campaign against the West Indies on February 7 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, in a group that also includes England, Italy and Nepal.
