The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has issued a formal clarification regarding the status of ICC Elite Panel umpire Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid Saikat, following media reports that incorrectly suggested his contract had been terminated. The board stated on Tuesday that the decision not to renew his contract after April 2026 was driven by his growing international commitments.
Addressing the confusion surrounding his engagement, the BCB explained that Sharfuddoula was originally under contract as a BCB umpire. That agreement, which had been extended from December 2025, reached its conclusion in April 2026. The board opted against pursuing a further extension, citing the difficulty of balancing his expanding role as an ICC Elite Panel umpire with the scheduling demands of the national board.
The BCB noted that placing ICC Elite Panel umpires under central contracts is not standard practice among Full Member nations, primarily due to the logistical challenges of scheduling. Despite the conclusion of his contract, the board emphasized that it may continue to engage Sharfuddoula for bilateral international series, as well as domestic First Class, List A, and T20 competitions, depending on his availability.
Highlighting that the professional relationship remains intact, the board pointed out that following the conclusion of his contract in April 2026, Sharfuddoula was appointed to officiate the T20I series against Australia in June 2026 under a similar arrangement.
