SPORTS REPORTER

Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid Saikat is set to be the first Bangladeshi to officiate in the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup, and the 46-year-old said that he is looking forward to the challenge.

Saikat was named as one of the 20 match officials for the league round of the ODI World Cup 2023 in India. He will be the fourth umpire in the opening match between England and New Zealand on October 5 in Ahmedabad, said a press release from the ICC.

“To be honest, I am someone who is hardly touched by emotions. But yes, it’s a great honour and joy for me. At the same time, it is also a challenging [task]. I am looking forward to making this opportunity count and let’s see what happens,” Saikat told The Daily Star yesterday.

Saikat, who was among the four umpires from the ICC Emerging Umpire panel along with the 16 Elite panel umpires in the 20-member list, informed that it was a roller coaster ride for him to eventually make it to the mega event.

“Look, it was a long process for me to eventually get there and it didn’t happen suddenly. But I think it will open a new horizon for the other umpires in the country. We need to prove our mettle at the highest stage and remain consistent,” he said.

Interestingly, despite being a highly regarded umpire in the country, Saikat officiated in his first bilateral series away from home during the three-ODI series between Pakistan and Afghanistan in Sri Lanka last month.

Saikat was also not considered to officiate in the ongoing Asia Cup.

Saikat has also remained under the radar in the domestic circuit, with the cricketer-turned-umpire yet to officiate in a Bangladesh Premier League final.