Umpire Nadir Shah struck on the head during Dhaka Premier League match

Nadir Shah falls to the ground after being struck by a ball on his head. (Source: Dhaka Tribune)

Bangladeshi umpire Nadir Shah was struck on the forehead during the Dhaka Premier League game between Mohammedan Sporting Club and Kalabagan Cricket Academy on Tuesday in Fatullah. 

Shah, who was standing at the square leg position, suffered the blow when Mohammedan's opener Ezaz Ahmed played a sweep off off-spinner Mahmudul Hassan. The ball deflected off the hands of Taposh Ghosh who was fielding at square leg and hit the umpire's head.

Shah immediately fell to the ground and had to be attended by a physio. He was moved out of the field and was replaced by Saiful Islam, the reserve umpire.

Shah, complaining that he felt dizzy, told ESPNcricinfo, "I was off the field for the rest of the game. I am back at home now and will be going to the doctor soon. There's a bump on my forehead and I feel dizzy. The physio put ice on the injured spot and gave me a pain-killer in the ground."

The 52-year old made headlines in 2012 when he was caught in a TV sting operation where he appeared to be demanding money to give decisions as an umpire during the ICC World Twenty20. Though he denied the allegations, a ban of 10 years was imposed on him by the Bangladeshi Cricket board in March 2013. The BCB then lifted the ban in February 2016 and gave him the eligibility to stand as the umpire in domestic matches in the country.

The Mohammedan Sporting Club won the match by D/L method, chasing down a revised target of 207 after the match was interrupted by rain.

In November 2014, Israeli umpire Hillel Awaskar died after he was hit by a ball during a match in Ashdod. He was struck on the head while standing at the non-striker's end and was immediately rushed to the hospital, where he passed away a short time later.

Recently, Cricket Australia, who had an independent review into the freak accident of the deceased batsman Phillip Hughes, had said that  protective headgear for umpires should also be considered.

During the fourth ODI between India and Australia at the Manuka Oval on January 20 this year, Australian umpire John Ward surprised the spectators by wearing a helmet when he was standing at the bowler's end. Ward, who was earlier concussed after being struck on the head during a Ranji Trophy match between Punjab and Tamil Nadu  at Dindugal, is said to have used the protective gear as a precaution.

Earlier, Gerard Abood became the first Australian umpire to wear the helmet during a Big Bash League game between Melbourne Renegades and Perth Scorchers at the Etihad stadium in December 2015.