The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has clarified the circumstances surrounding ICC Elite Panel umpire Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid Saikat’s departure after recent reports linked the end of his association with the Board to his resignation following the Towhid Hridoy disciplinary controversy.
In a statement, the BCB said Saikat’s central contract expired in December 2025 and was extended until April 2026. The Board decided against a further extension, citing his growing responsibilities as an ICC Elite Panel umpire, which would limit his availability for domestic duties.
The clarification comes months after the BCB accepted Saikat’s resignation, more than a year after he stepped down in protest over what he believed was the lenient punishment handed to Hridoy following their heated on-field altercation during the 2025 Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League.
According to the BCB, the conclusion of Saikat’s contract was an administrative decision rather than a departure from the Board’s umpiring structure. The Board also noted that centrally contracting ICC Elite Panel umpires is not standard practice among Full Member nations because of their demanding international schedules.
Despite the expiry of his contract, the BCB said Saikat remains eligible to officiate bilateral international fixtures in Bangladesh, as well as domestic First-Class, List A and T20 competitions, subject to his availability. The Board pointed out that he officiated in the Australia T20I series in June this year under the same arrangement after his contract had already ended.
The BCB said the clarification was issued to remove any misunderstanding regarding Saikat’s current status and future role in Bangladesh cricket.
