The International Cricket Council has appointed Sharfuddoula in its elite panel of umpires making him the first Bangladeshi umpire to be included in the group.
Sharfuddoula joins the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires
Chris Board was not included in the ICC‘s new panel of match referees who officiated the third most number of international matches. He has been in the elite panel since 2003 and has umpired 123 Tests, 361 ODIs, and 135 T20Is. He was the final referee in the finals of the T20 World Cup in 2009 and the 2021 WTC.
“Chris Broad has been a valuable member of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees over many years and has performed his role with distinction,” said ICC CEO Geoff Allardice.
“He was prepared to take difficult calls in the best interests of the game and was respected by players and officials from all over the cricketing world. On behalf of the ICC, I would like to thank Chris for his long and distinguished contribution to the game.
“I would also like to congratulate Sharfuddoula for his inclusion on the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires and acknowledge his achievement of being the first umpire from Bangladesh to be selected on this panel. This is a well-deserved reward for many years of consistent performances in international matches and ICC tournaments.”
“It is a great honor to be named on the ICC Elite Panel. To be the first from my country on the panel makes it extra special and I look forward to justifying the faith shown in me,” Sharfuddoula said.
“I have had a fair bit of experience over the years and am ready for more challenging assignments. I would like to thank the ICC and the BCB for backing me and my other colleagues for all their help and guidance. I would also like to thank my family and friends for standing by and supporting me.”
He was an umpire during the ODI World Cup last year, becoming the first Bangladeshi to do so. He has officiated in 10 tests, 63 ODIs, and 44 T20Is in men’s cricket. He also featured in 41 women’s international matches.
ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees
David Boon (Australia), Jeff Crowe (New Zealand), Ranjan Madugalle (Sri Lanka), Andrew Pycroft (Zimbabwe), Richie Richardson (West Indies), Javagal Srinath (India)
ICC Elite Panel of Umpires
Kumar Dharmasena (Sri Lanka), Christopher Gaffaney (New Zealand), Michael Gough (England), Adrian Holdstock (South Africa), Richard Illingworth (England), Richard Kettleborough (England), Nitin Menon (India), Ahsan Raza (Pakistan), Paul Reiffel (Australia), Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid (Bangladesh), Rodney Tucker (Australia), Joel Wilson (West Indies)