Re: Bangladesh to challenge final over of Cheema
Final-over collision: Bangladesh
**Final-over collision: Bangladesh’s stance a cheap stunt, says Mani
**
Reacting strongly to the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) plan of seeking a review of the final-over collision in the Asia Cup final, former International Cricket Council (ICC) president Ehsan Mani said that the development has spoilt the team’s brilliant show. Needing nine to win in the final over, delivered by Aizaz Cheema, Bangladesh managed just six as Pakistan triumphed to lift the Asia Cup.
However, the BCB showed its discontent and accused Cheema of deliberately blocking Mahmudullah Riyad from coming back for the second run – an incident that happened off the first ball of the over. Enayet Hossain Siraj, chairman of the BCB operations committee, said the board will complain to the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and demand five penalty runs for the alleged offence, adding that a copy of the appeal will also be sent to the ICC.
However, Mani who attended the final, lashed out at the BCB for ‘spoiling an exciting cricket match’. **“It’s a cheap stunt,” Mani told The Express Tribune. “Such acts are against the spirit of the game.
“In fact, there are no grounds of making such an appeal. It’s the job of the umpires to make such decisions.
“A** few **wrong decisions were made during the match like the dismissal of Younus [Khan]. Can someone appeal for that now? I don’t feel such appeal will be facilitated and will be useless.”
Mani added that officials in Bangladesh, who won the hearts of many during their spirited show in the tournament, including the final, have spoilt their team’s show.
“Bangladesh spoiled their performance, which is disappointing.”
Mani also stressed that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) should take a strong stance against the accusation.
**PCB disappointed on appeal
Meanwhile, PCB Director Intikhab Alam called Bangladesh’s stance “disappointing”.
“It’s really sad and disappointing to hear the statement from the BCB official,” Alam told AFP. “It was a thrilling final and everyone praised Bangladesh for their fight and their decision to appeal is just an afterthought after the result.”
“The fact is that no match umpire or referee complained about this to the Pakistan management and Bangladesh’s complain will spoil a wonderful final which everyone enjoyed,” said Alam.
PCB Chairman Zaka Ashraf refused to comment on the accusations. “ We’ll discuss the matter and then comment if required,” said Ashraf.
Making grounds to shun Pakistan tour: Basit
Meanwhile, former Test cricketer Basit Ali said the BCB was making grounds to avoid a proposed tour of Pakistan. “The appeal doesn’t make sense,” said Basit. “It seems they are making grounds to refuse to tour Pakistan.”
Bangladesh are yet to confirm their tour of Pakistan next month with officials close to the matter suggesting that the BCB was reluctant to send its team despite expressing satisfaction on security arrangements in the country.
