ICC World T20 2016: Former Pakistan cricketer wants India-Bangladesh match to be investigated
Former Pakistan spinner and present coach of the Pakistan A side, Tauseef Ahmed has raised doubts about the credibility of the India-Bangladesh match which ended in a thrilling one-run victory in favour of the hosts, Times of India reports.
The huge crowd which assembled at the M Chinnaswamy stadium in Bengaluru on Wednesday, March 23, were treated to arguably what was the most exciting match thus far at the ongoing World T20, when India came back right at the death to beat a spirited Bangladesh side who looked well in control of the match for the majority of the evening.
With Bangladesh needing just 2 runs to win from three balls and with four wickets in hand, a major upset seemed to be on the cards, prompting the duo of Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah to launch into wild celebrations. However, both batsmen fell to Hardik Pandya in the next two balls before Indian skipper MS Dhoni ran out Mustafizur Rahman at the batsman's end to give India a dramatic victory.
While the majority of the cricket world felt that India was incredibly lucky to win the contest and thus keep their hopes alive in the tournament, Tauseef feels that there were could be something fishy about the manner in which the game concluded.
"The way the match ended it just does not feel right to me. I think it needs to be investigated by the authorities including the ICC," he told Geo Super channel.
Many cricket pundits, including former Indian skipper and popular cricket commentator Sunil Gavaskar, who was on air during the final moments of that match, had criticised Mahmudullah, who went for a big hit only to end up being caught at the deep mid-wicket boundary by Ravindra Jadeja.
Tauseef also centred his allegations on the very same incident.
"Bangladesh is now not an inexperienced side. They had experienced players at the crease. I don't understand how they could not first opt to tie the match and try for a big hit," said the 57-year old, who played 34 Tests and 70 ODIs for Pakistan.
Aware that his views could create a lot of debate, especially in the wake of controversial comments by Pakistan T20 skipper Shahid Afridi, Tauseef added that he was merely asking the sport’s governing body to conduct a thorough enquiry so as to ensure everything was fair and final.
"I don't know what to say. Best if the ICC looks into the match and holds an inquiry. Look everyone knows things do happen now-a-days in cricket matches so nothing wrong in looking into the match," Tauseef said.