Tanveer Ahmed not to be part of umpiring panel for upcoming BAN-W vs IND-W T20Is

The upcoming T20I series between India Women and Bangladesh Women, scheduled to kick off on April 28th at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, has a notable omission in its officiating lineup. In a move to avoid potential controversies, umpire Tanveer Ahmed will not be officiating in the upcoming series. 

Ahmed was involved in an ugly incident during the ODI series between the two sides earlier this year, leading to tensions with the Indian players. The 2023 ODI series between India and Bangladesh was marked by a confrontation involving Ahmed and Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur.

In the final ODI, Ahmed raised his finger to give Kaur out LBW, which led to the Indian skipper knocking down the stumps in frustration and engaging in a heated argument with the umpire. Kaur was subsequently handed a two-match ban for her actions, while she also mocked the Bangladeshi players with a taunt directed at the umpire. 

Also read: India Women squad announced for Bangladesh T20Is

Tanveer is not included in the list of match officials: Iftekhar Ahmed Mithu

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has decided to exclude Ahmed from the umpiring panel for the T20I series to prevent any potential targeting or backlash from the Indian players.

“If he is included in the upcoming home series against India women’s team there is a possibility he can again be at the receivers end considering Indian women cricketers might target him and we don’t want that to happen and as a result, we decided not to include him for the series involving Bangladesh and India women’s team,” a BCB official stated, as quoted by Cricbuzz.

The BCB's umpire's committee chairman, Iftekhar Ahmed Mithu, explained the decision, “Tanveer is not included in the list of match officials for the home series against India women’s team as we want him to be involved in the home series against Zimbabwe and both the series will be played side by side,” he said.

Also read: Asha Sobhana unperturbed by age factor as she makes it to national team for Bangladesh tour

BCCI announced the squad for the series on 15th April, with some notable inclusions in the side. Harmanpreet, who will be leading the squad, will have Smriti Mandhana as her deputy. Asha Sobhana and Sajana Sajeevan earned their maiden national call-ups. Shreyanka Patil, who was the highest wicket-taker in WPL 2024, is also included in the squad.