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‘Biased’ umpiring spark protests in B’desh

They chanted “Shame, Shame. No to ICC conspiracy,” as they shouted slogans against the umpires and the ICC after Bangladesh’s best ever World Cup came to an end following a 109-run defeat against India.

Bangladesh fans were furious after man-of-the-match Rohit Sharma got a big break on 90 when he holed out to deep mid-wicket off Rubel Hossain, only for umpire Ian Gould to signal a no-ball for what appeared to be a legitimate waist-high delivery.

Fans also protested two other decisions including a catch against Bangladesh’s best batsman Mohammad Mahmudullah that snuffled out any hope for a comeback by the Tigers. “The umpires were biased. We did not mind if we had been beaten legitimately. But this is pure robbery. We protest these bad decisions. The ICC should review them,” Dhaka University student Mahmudul Hasan said at a protest march. Another student held a placard that dubbed ICC as the ‘Indian Cricket Council’.

Everyone saw what happened: Mashrafe

Meanwhile, captain Mashrafe Mortaza too expressed his displeasure at a few decisions going against his side. “I don’t want to say anything about the umpiring decisions. Everybody present saw what happened. So it’s not fair on my part to comment on this,” Mashrafe said when asked about the umpire’s decision.

When probed further as to whether the incident hampered the momentum of his team, Mashrafe said, “Look, a wicket during crucial juncture is always important. At that point of time, we were putting in a lot of pressure on their batsmen. And everyone saw what happened after that.”

There was also a slight faux pas on the part of local organisers while playing songs of both the countries. While most of Indian songs were latest Bollywood chartbusters, the Bangladeshi songs were more nationalistic in nature and associated with their ‘War of Independence’. In fact, a lot of those patriotic songs were blaring out of the sound system immediately after a Bangladesh wicket fell. Though Mashrafe did not look happy about it but refused to comment as it would have meant taking on the ICC. 
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