Friday 20 March 2015 10:44, UK
International Cricket Council chief executive David Richardson has slammed his organisation's Bangladeshi president for questioning the integrity of umpires, saying allegations he made were "unfortunate" and "baseless".
Mustafa Kamal claimed decisions made by officials during Bangladesh's 109-run defeat 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 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 a 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," Richardson said.
"As an ICC president, he should have been more considerate in his criticism of ICC match officials, whose integrity cannot be questioned.
"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.
"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."
Kamal said he was considering quitting his post in protest.
"As the ICC president, whatever I have to say I will say it in next meeting. It could happen that maybe I will resign," Kamal said in comments aired on Bangladeshi television.
Bangladesh Cricket Board president Nazmul Hassan announced there would be no appeal from his organisation, but instead an "official complaint".
"The BCB will not appeal for a review of the controversial umpiring decisions," he said. "It's of no use. It won't change the result.
"We have decided that we will lodge an official complaint with the ICC against the controversial umpiring."
