BCB clarifies Saikat's status after contract ends

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has clarified the status of international umpire Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid Saikat, saying his contract with the Board ended in April 2026 and was not renewed as his responsibilities on the ICC Elite Panel continued to grow.

Sharfuddoula had previously been employed by the BCB as a centrally contracted umpire. His original contract expired in December 2025 and was subsequently extended for four months until April this year. The Board said it decided not to pursue another extension after considering the increasing demands of his international officiating commitments.

According to the BCB, the decision was not related to any dispute with the umpire. Rather, it reflected the practical difficulty of balancing his growing role at the international level with the requirements of a national cricket Board.

Sharfuddoula has established himself as one of Bangladesh's leading umpires and became a member of the ICC Elite Panel, placing him among the officials regularly appointed to major international matches.

The BCB also pointed out that central contracts for ICC Elite Panel umpires are not common among Full Member nations. International assignments can make it difficult for such umpires to maintain the availability required under a conventional Board contract.

However, the end of his contract does not mean that Sharfuddoula has severed his professional association with Bangladesh cricket.

The BCB said it remains able to appoint him for bilateral international series as well as domestic First-Class, List A and T20 competitions, depending on his availability.

The Board gave a recent example of this arrangement, noting that after his contract ended in April, Sharfuddoula was appointed to officiate in Bangladesh's T20I series against Australia in June.

The clarification comes amid recent reports and discussion surrounding his association with the BCB, which the Board said may have created confusion about his current position.

By explaining the circumstances behind the end of his contract, the BCB has sought to make clear that Sharfuddoula remains available for assignments in Bangladesh when his international schedule permits.

For one of the country's most prominent international umpires, the arrangement effectively reflects a changing professional role: less tied to a national Board contract, but still available to serve Bangladesh cricket when international commitments allow.