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SYDNEY: International Cricket Council (ICC) chief executive David Richardson on Friday slammed his organisation's Bangladeshi president for questioning the integrity of umpires, saying allegations of fixing were “unfortunate” and “baseless”.
Mustafa Kamal claimed decisions made by officials during Bangladesh's 109-run loss to India in their World Cup quarter-final in Melbourne on Thursday seemed to have been “pre-arranged”.
Kamal was angry that India's Rohit Sharma, who top-scored with 137, had not been given not out on 90 when he was caught at deep mid-wicket off the bowling of Rubel Hossain, only for umpires Aleem Dar and Ian Gould to signal a no-ball for what appeared to be a legitimate waist-high delivery.
But Richardson defended Dar and Gould from all accusations of biased officiating.
“The ICC has noted Mr Mustafa Kamal's comments, which are very unfortunate but made in his personal capacity. As an ICC President, he should have been more considerate in his criticism of ICC match officials, whose integrity cannot be questioned,” said Richardson.
“The no-ball decision was a 50-50 call. The spirit of the game dictates that the umpire's decision is final and must be respected,” the former South Africa wicket-keeper added.
“Any suggestion that the match officials had 'an agenda' or did anything other than perform to the best of their ability are baseless and are refuted in the strongest possible terms,” Richardson insisted.
Kamal said he was considering quitting his post in protest.
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On DawnNews
Comments (36) Closed
Mar 20, 2015 01:38pm
Sore losers...as if this would have any impact otherwise...no wonder in 20 years of history Bangladesh had beaten India only 3 times....You whip up a frenzy every world cup among your fans through media and build up a stage too big for this mediocre team to compete against big boys and when they come kaput....you indulge in conspiracy theory...speaks maturity of his mind, I am surprised their PM did not go to UN for this "atrocities" !!!!
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Mar 20, 2015 01:47pm
Finally some sense !!
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Mar 20, 2015 01:49pm
Bangladeshi ICC president needs to resign for a foolish and untruthful statement.
India won fairly!
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Mar 20, 2015 01:49pm
anybody bet me Pakistan will win today..
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Mar 20, 2015 01:54pm
One cannot expect spirit of cricket from Bangladesh... even after loosing to Pakistan in 2012 Asia cup these idiots complained foul play.. Bangladesh should remember Jordan run out given in favor on them which facilitated their unlikely entry to Quarter finals.. England behaved gracefully and accepted defeat... but I am not a fool to expect England level of decency from Bangladesh fools
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Mar 20, 2015 01:56pm
There were 4 Asian teams in quarter finals now 3 r out only one remain in semi so let's all Asians ( Pak, ind, sl , bang ) whole heartedly support India to keep world cup in Asia only.
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Mar 20, 2015 01:57pm
Someone Talking sense..... Good Job Dawn by posting both the versions of the story!
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Mar 20, 2015 02:01pm
The Sharma ball was absolutely OK and waist-high. Whether it was a 'fix' one cannot be sure because Dar is a very good umpire.
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Mar 20, 2015 02:02pm
Another Pakistan's Umpire in allegation or it just a hype created by media?
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Mar 20, 2015 03:59pm
Match was fixed, believe me you.
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Mar 20, 2015 04:04pm
Bangladesh fans should learn to accept the defeat. Why they always come up with conspiracy theory when they are on losing side? Show some guts. You are letting your country down by showing this kind of rubbish excuses. If you are brave enough than beat the world beaters. or else go hide !!!
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Mar 20, 2015 04:25pm
Congratulation Australia Cricket Team . . .
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Mar 20, 2015 04:57pm
Aleem Dar is one of the most respected umpire on the field. If you are making some fixing allegations against him means, either you are completely a fool or extremely childish.
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Mar 20, 2015 05:00pm
Corrupt ICC must accept that the decisions were controversial.
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Mar 20, 2015 05:18pm
It might be a mistake.. but Cheating ..nooo.... sure it is not a case. Aleem daar is one of most respectful umpire in ICC elite panel. no one can question on his honesty.
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Mar 20, 2015 06:09pm
ICC is already sold out $$$$
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Mar 20, 2015 06:12pm
@SOS
It's time you guys went slow on your conspiracy theories and concentrated on taking catches...
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Mar 20, 2015 07:01pm
@suraj
Yes, it is right, Umpire had declared it as no ball well before batsman hit the shot.
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Mar 20, 2015 07:28pm
What Mr. Kamal said is Bangladesh attitude...once they lost against Pakistan they started saying take the trophy from Pakistan and give it to us
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Mar 20, 2015 07:37pm
While the umpire's call was unfortunate, Bangladesh would have still lost. But what does Mr. Mustafa Kamal have to say about the Bangladesh captain berating his players on the field ?
These people (Bangladeshi captain and Kamal) need to first get some lessons on civility.
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Mar 20, 2015 08:19pm
He is not talking about Bangladeshi opener not being given out in the first over where replays showed he has nicked the ball to the keeper. What a sore loser these Bangladeshi's are. He is not talking about the Chris Jordan run out which went in their favour resulting in England exit.
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Mar 20, 2015 08:30pm
Kamal should quit & ban Bangladesh cricket team for couple of years for his wreck less comments!
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Mar 20, 2015 08:42pm
I don't know the umpire's decision was right or wrong, but seriously, how can you accuse the opponent side of fixing the match? There are thousands of incidences where umpires have made a wrong call but that doesn't mean the match was fixed. Ridiculous...
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Mar 20, 2015 08:58pm
@majid sheikh ...Dar is not a good umpire...He is a Great umpire. He doesn't make many mistakes. Mistakes happen with everybody. The problem with this situation is if decision was reversed after watching replay, Batsman will complain as he might say he hit the ball because it is No Ball. What else could on field umpires do? They don't have option of jump ball like what Basketball referees do. What umpires did is 100% correct IMO.
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Mar 20, 2015 09:09pm
Does it mean that games are fixed by ICC, when its President makes such claims ? If this is not the case, ICC should take action against this official for making such accusation
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Mar 20, 2015 09:23pm
A lot of wrong decision comes out even a lot of against India...It is not means that matched is fixed...it may be a human error...A review chance given to teams...why Bangladesh not reviewed it?
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Mar 20, 2015 09:53pm
A Pakistani umpire favoring India is slightly difficult to imagine.The benefit of doubt always goes to batsman.Well, England did not grumble when a controversial run out decision went against them.Time to throw out teams like Bangla Desh from important events.
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Mar 20, 2015 10:12pm
As a President of ICC Mr. Mustafa Should have resigned on moral grounds,He is accusing his own institution (ICC) ,then ultimetly question will also raise on him for his involment in fixing issue.
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Mar 21, 2015 12:36am
If Bang thinks ICC is sold out, they should not participate at all. Play and stay in Bang. Takes guts to accept defeat.
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Mar 21, 2015 12:40am
I think the Bangledeshi ICC president is an impulsive and emotional gentleman. If he cant control his emotions then he should not have been in a responsible position in the first place.
He has made himself, his country and ICC a laughing stock.
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Mar 21, 2015 02:32am
@Onlooker Excellent piece !...loved the last sentence a lot.
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Mar 21, 2015 03:12am
Mustafa Kamal's claim's are stupid.
ye hota to wo hota, ye nahi hota, to kya hota
agar mustafa ko paida karne ke din iska baap jaldi so jata
to shayad ye bhi nahi hota!!
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Mar 21, 2015 07:30am
Players get their match fee deducted and even banned for a few matches for indiscipline, wonder what kind of action can be taken against the ICC president. But then we should expect politics from a politician not decorum and a nuanced approach. What say you Mr Mustafa Kamal?
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Mar 21, 2015 09:09am
Ball or no ball is the Umpire's call. He has to make a call in seconds and gets one chance. Rest of the world makes this decision on multiple replays. Dar is a very respected gentleman in the game, Bangladeshis accusing him without proof is very disgusting. ICC president should be asked to provide proof that the match was fixed, failing which he should not be allowed to resign but fired from his job
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Mar 21, 2015 10:18am
well MR. DAR the umpire of ICC is very decent n honest .I have seen him since many years n didn't see of him any kind of misjudgment...or any biased descision..
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Mar 21, 2015 11:21am
Not only is it "unfortunate" it is just plain stupid and immature. It just shows the low level thinking of the Bangladeshi cricket council president. Till yesterday, no one knew the name of this Bangladeshi cricket council president, now he's got a little fame, which will probably benefit him in his country, but the rest of the world thinks, he's just a two bit joker.
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