A stumping incident during a recent Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League match has ignited a wave of scrutiny and debate, prompting the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) to step in.
The match in question, held at the Shere Bangla National Stadium, featured Gulshan Cricket Club and Shinepukur Cricket Club. It took a dramatic turn in the final moments when batter Minhajul Abedin was dismissed in an unorthodox and questionable manner, raising eyebrows across the cricketing community.
A Bizarre Dismissal
With Shinepukur needing just six runs off seven overs to secure victory, Minhajul stepped out of his crease to face offspinner Naeem Islam. The delivery was wide of off-stump and went untouched, but what followed left fans and commentators stunned. Wicketkeeper Alif Hasan initially fumbled the stumping attempt, missing the bails. Despite having ample time to return, Minhajul appeared to hesitate, hovering his bat inside the crease without grounding it, and then pulled it back entirely. On a second attempt, Hasan successfully removed the bails, leading to a decision review by the third umpire.
Television replays clearly showed that Minhajul did not attempt to secure his ground, a move that ultimately cost his team dearly. His dismissal ended Shinepukur’s innings on 173, handing Gulshan a narrow five-run win.
“This is shocking. I have never seen anything like this before,” said on-air commentator Mazhar Uddin Omi, voicing the disbelief felt by many watching the game unfold.
Stakes Were High, Outcome Was Costly
The timing of the dismissal only deepened suspicions. Shinepukur, sitting near the bottom of the table with just two points from nine matches, desperately needed the win to stay alive in the tournament. Gulshan, with 11 points, were already in a stronger position. With the match practically in hand, Minhajul’s passive reaction to a missed stumping attempt raised questions about intent.
ACU Steps In
The incident drew the immediate attention of the Cricket Committee of Dhaka Metropolis (CCDM), the organizing body for the league. Speaking on the matter, CCDM league coordinator Sabbir Ahmed confirmed that the ACU is now involved.
“We saw the footage. It was the last dismissal of the match,” Ahmed said. “The match referee and the TV umpire were both present and are expected to submit a report. We’ve contacted the ACU to review whether further action is needed.”
The BCB’s anti-corruption unit has reportedly begun reviewing the footage and investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.
What’s Next?
The Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League—the country’s top-tier List A competition—is reaching a critical juncture. With the final round of the regular season approaching, the top six teams will soon enter the Super League, while the bottom three will face a relegation battle, with two sides dropping out of the competition.
For Shinepukur, the loss has complicated their survival hopes. And now, with an ACU investigation looming, the aftermath of Minhajul’s dismissal may echo beyond just the scoreboard.
