Bangladesh to lodge complaint over umpiring in Durban Test

Tigers were bowled out for 53 in first Test against South Africa

South Africa spinner Keshav Maharaj celebrates the wicket of Bangladesh's Yasir Ali Chowdhury during Day 5 of the first Test at Kingsmead in Durban on Monday, April 4, 2022. Getty

Bangladesh's Yasir Ali is bowled by South Africa's Keshav Maharaj in Durban. AFP

Keshav Maharaj picked up seven wickets in the second innings on Monday. AFP

Keshav Maharaj celebrates the dismissal of Mushfiqur Rahim on the fifth day of the first Test in Durban. Getty

Spinner Simon Harmer after taking the wicket of Mehidy Hasan of Bangladesh. Getty

Khaled Ahmed of Bangladesh after his dismissal in Durban. Getty

Bangladesh's Ebadot Hossain (2nd R) banters with South Africa's Sarel Erwee (2nd L) during the fifth day of the first Test cricket match between South Africa and Bangladesh at the Kingsmead stadium in Durban on April 4, 2022. (Photo by Marco Longari / AFP)

Batsman Najmul Hossain top-scored with 26 for Bangaldesh in their second innings. AFP

South Africa fielder Sarel Erwee misses a chance to catch out Bangladesh's Najmul Hossain. AFP

Player of the match Keshav Maharaj took 7-32 for South Africa in Bangaldesh's second innings. Getty

Bangladesh will formally complain to the International Cricket Council over claims of biased umpiring and "unbearable" sledging in the first Test against South Africa, officials said on Tuesday.

The Tigers were left furious after several close calls went against them in Durban, where they crashed to 53 all out in the second innings chasing 274 for victory.

The visiting players also took issue with their opponents for on-field taunts they said crossed the line.

"You all have seen how biased the umpiring was. On the field, sledging was also unbearable," Bangladesh Cricket Board cricket operations chief Jalal Yunus told AFP.

"We will write a formal complaint to the ICC," he added.

Jalal said his side raised similar issues to match referee Andy Pycroft after their 2-1 ODI series win - their first on South African soil.

"Our manager spoke to him several times. But he paid no attention to our complaint," Jalal said.

"We want the ICC to appoint neutral umpires in Test series as soon as possible. We are also ready to welcome neutral umpires in our home series," he said.

Umpires from host countries have been used exclusively since 2020, when the pandemic imposed worldwide travel restrictions. South African umpires Marais Erasmus and Adrian Holdstock were standing in the Durban Test.

Skipper Mominul Haque said umpires did not intervene when South African players sledged their Bangladeshi opponents.

"Sledging is a normal thing. But if it comes to the stage of abuse, that is very bad," he said.

"I think they abused us in the worst manner and umpires did not notice."