Prominent Indian cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle has publicly lauded Bangladeshi umpire Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid Saikat for his exemplary performance during the second Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy between England and India at Edgbaston. India secured a commanding 336-run victory on Sunday, levelling the series 1-1.
Saikat, who holds the distinction of being the first and only Bangladeshi to be included in the prestigious ICC Elite Panel of Umpires, stood out throughout the five days of the Test match. His consistency in decision-making and sharp judgment garnered significant attention and praise.
A key indicator of his impressive performance was his review success rate. Of the 10 decisions made by Saikat that were challenged by the captains through the Decision Review System (DRS), only two were overturned. This translates to an exceptional accuracy rate of 80 percent, a testament to his precision under pressure. "The umpiring in this match has been outstanding. You expect a certain standard from Chris Gaffaney but Sharfuddoula Saikat has been excellent," Bhogle posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday, highlighting Saikat's contribution alongside experienced New Zealander Chris Gaffaney.
The 48-year-old Saikat's impressive form will see him continue his on-field duties in the series, as he is set to officiate in the third match, which commences on July 10th. His consistent high-quality umpiring continues to bring recognition to Bangladesh on the international cricket stage.
