Sri Lanka appealed for cut behind against Soumya Sarkar on the first ball of the fourth over of Bangladesh’s innings. On-field umpire Gazi Sohail gave out but the Bangladeshi batter survived with a review. Third umpire Masudur Rahman took the controversial decision. There was excitement in the field for a while. However, after a few minutes, the game builds. Sri Lanka’s assistant coach Naveed Nawaz told the press conference after losing the match that they will ask the match referee about this controversial decision.
On the first ball of the fourth over of Bangladesh’s innings at the Sylhet International Stadium, Soumya wanted to pool a length shot from Binura Fernando. But the bat-ball did not connect. The ball goes to wicket keeper Kushal Mendis. The umpire Gazi Sohail gave out on the strong request of the Lankans cut behind. Soumya immediately took the review. Spike seen in ultra-edge. Thinking out, the Bangladeshi opener went near the dressing room. However, in the view of TV umpire Masudur Rahman, it was decided to give Soumya not out as there was a fine distance between the ball and the bat during the spike.
The Lankan cricketers could not accept this decision at the beginning. They surrounded the umpire Sharfuddaula. On the other hand, coach Chris Silverwood went to the fourth umpire Tanveer Ahmed. After all, there was excitement in the field and in the gallery for a while.
Coming to the press conference, Nawaz said, ‘The field umpire has given out. The TV umpire can only overturn the on-field umpire’s decision if he has sufficient evidence. It was clear that Snico had spikes. We saw it on the big screen. We will talk to the match referee, try to find out exactly what happened. The footage shown on the screen is not enough to say anything. I’m sure the TV umpire will have evidence to change what the on-field umpire wanted.’
Soumya escaped being dismissed for 14 runs but could not advance very far. However, if Soumya was out at that time, Sri Lanka would have got a chance to break the opening pair after 28 runs. But this pair scored 68 runs instead of that. And that’s why the visitors lost a lot of the match. Referring to the matter, Nawaz said, ‘It was the first wicket. Picking up this wicket would have given us a better start. Every wicket is very important on a wicket like this.’
However, Sri Lanka’s assistant coach also sees the responsibility of the batsmen. According to him, the scoreboard is 15 to 20 runs short, ‘I think we are at least 15-20 runs short. It’s easy to bat later on this pitch, especially on a wet wicket in the Sylhet light. Bangladesh chose fielding in both the matches. I think the toss is very important on this kind of wicket.’
The Lankans were in good shape. But Kamindu Mendis’ run out and Charith Asalanka’s ball off Mehdi put Sri Lanka in some danger. In this context, Nawaz said, ‘I think the run out of Kamindu Mendis and the dismissal of Charitha Asalanka hurt us. If those two wickets had lasted a little longer, we would have benefited.’
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