Abahani's Tamim apologises for altercation in Doleshwar match, wants thorough investigation

Abahani Limited skipper Tamim Iqbal has apologised for getting involved in a heated argument with the umpires in the Dhaka Premier League match against Prime Doleshwar.

Tamim, however, pleaded with the authorities to get to the root of the problem rather than blaming any one person for the altercation.

The rain-reduced match, which was suspended on Sunday at BKSP-3 following much drama over the fracas, was not held on the reserve day, Monday, either.

Tamim, who was involved in triggering the incident, has accepted the blame for his part in it and told bdnews24.com that he regretted it.

"I definitely shouldn't have reacted the way I did. It was the result of a momentary rush of blood. As a national team cricketer and an icon for many youngsters, I really shouldn't have done it," Tamim said on Monday night.

"It was a crucial moment in the match. The batsman came down the wicket and was clearly stumped. Our total was small, 191. That wicket would've been the third and could've brought the match in our control.

"All these things just suddenly made me excited. But whatever the situation was, I shouldn't have given that reaction. I apologise to everyone."

Doleshwar restricted Abahani to 191 after rain had curtailed the game to 45 overs on Sunday.

In the 16th over of Doleshwar's chase, there was a loud stumping appeal for Raqibul Hasan off Saqlain Sajib but it was turned down by the umpire.

The Abahani players, led by their captain, protested against the decision. Tamim was seen having a heated argument with the official.

The fielders adopted an aggressive body language after play resumed, while the uproar also fuelled immense dissatisfaction among the Abahani supporters, who soon started swearing out loud.

At the end of the 17th over, match referee Montu Datta entered the field with the reserve umpire.

After having a chat with him, the on-field umpires, Gazi Sohel and Tanvir Ahmed, marched off the field and brought the game to a halt, with Doleshwar on 59-2.

Tamim, however, urged the administration to be thorough in their investigation.

"Such incidents often occur in our country. [The person held responsible] faces criticism, then he is fined to close the case. But why it happened is never considered.

"This also happened in the case of Shakib (Al Hasan). He has been penalised on different occasions - maybe rightly so - but under what circumstances does he or a cricketer resort to such action is always overlooked. As if, punishing the cricketer is the end of the story."

Later the umpires once again took to the field after consulting among themselves on Sunday and Doleshwar were given a revised target under the Duckworth-Lewis method.

But Doleshwar refused to continue playing under the revised conditions, though the sky was clear and they had nothing to answer for. Thus the match was suspended.

On Monday, the Cricket Committee of Dhaka Metropolis (CCDM) coordinator Amin Khan said there was no mention of a squabble in the report of the match referee.

Datta wrote the match was suspended as both the on-field umpires were sick. CCDM has asked BCB to determine the fate of the match.

"In the stage of the league we are in, every match is important for us. When a single decision from the umpire can turn a match on its head, it's difficult to control ourselves when faced with such a huge mistake. Because cricketers try (to win) giving everything," Tamim said.

"Obviously I made a mistake. But the umpires could have reported that. The match referee could have punished me after the match. I would've gladly accepted that. But why would they leave the ground," he added.

"Both the teams were still on the field after the umpires had left. Doleshwar had no problem playing before the game went to Duckworth-Lewis despite the dispute. What can we do if the umpires don't run the match?

"I request (the authorities) to think these things over…"