Cricket experts and fans are sharply divided in their opinions on the action of Shakib Al Hasan during the virtual semi-final match between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in the Nidahas Trophy Tri-nation T20 tournament as it gave birth to a mixed-bag of reactions. The Bangladesh captain, who returned to the match following his injury-forced exile, waved his players back after on field umpires refused to give a shoulder-height delivery ‘no ball’. In the meantime, substitute fielder Nurul Hasan also got engaged in a verbal brawl with on-field Sri Lankan players, making the situation complicated. Shakib was seen having a heated exchange with the reserve umpire and commentator Russell Arnold before he furiously gestured his players back. His behaviour received mixed-bag reactions from the fans and the cricket
experts across the world and in social media as well. The Bangladesh captain and reserve player Nurul Hasan were fined 25% of their match fees for their behaviour. Both players have also received one demerit point each for breaching Level 1 of the ICC code of conduct. “Not impressed by Shakib’s instincts as captain & leader. Wanting to call his players off the field because of umpiring decisions. Nearly denied Bangladesh one of their greatest wins,” twitted former Indian cricketer turned commentator Sanjay Manjrekar.
He further twitted: “Not hearing the word ‘Sorry’ in Shakib’s post match reactions about his behaviour. Disappointing.” Most of the Bangladeshi fans, however, termed Sahib’s behaviour as ‘gutsy’, saying Bangladesh proved they not only fought the opponents neck-to-neck on the ground, but also off the field. “Shakib showed real guts. Calling back the players isn’t new in the cricket. If others do it, it is courage, when a Bangladeshi does it, it is labeled as crime. Disappointing indeed,” wrote a Bangladeshi fan on his Facebook wall.
Bangladeshi fans also recalled the memory of former Indian skipper Sunil Gavaskar and Sri Lankan skipper Arjuna Ranatunga when they left the ground in protest of umpire’s decision.
Gavaskar called his opening partner off the field during a Test in Melbourne in 1980-81 after he was given leg before against Aussie pacer Dennis Lillie. Rantunga also left the ground after umpire Daryl Hair called several deliveries of Muttiah Muralitharan ‘no ball’ in 1994.