The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has appointed former Australian umpire Simon Taufel on a two-year contract to strengthen its umpiring structure. Widely regarded as one of the finest officials of his era and a multiple ICC Umpire of the Year award winner, Taufel will focus on developing local umpires and training future instructors.
According to BCB sources, Taufel is scheduled to arrive in Dhaka on 13 September. The following day he will hold initial discussions with board officials to finalise his work plan, including the timeline for his full involvement and the composition of his support team. Reports of financial complications had earlier clouded the deal, but those concerns have since been resolved.
Confirmation of his appointment first came after the BCB’s third board meeting on 30 June. Umpiring Committee chairman Iftekhar Rahman Mithu explained that Taufel would work under the board’s Coaching and Umpires’ Education Wing:
“We have been in contact with Simon Taufel for the last four to five months. This has now been approved. Various umpiring programmes will be launched under his guidance. He has a three-year contract, and his team will arrive to design and implement the full programme,” he said.
Further clarity was provided on 1 September when, following a virtual board meeting in Sylhet, BCB vice-president Nazmul Abedeen Fahim confirmed the arrangement at a press conference:
“Simon Taufel is taking a leading role in the umpiring department for two years. He will oversee the assessment and grading of match referees and umpires, while also grooming local technical staff,” Fahim stated.
Taufel began his international umpiring career in 1999, officiated his first Test in 2000 and joined the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires in 2003. Renowned for his composure and accuracy, he retired from on-field duties in 2012 after over a decade at the top level.
