BCB Explains Sharafuddoula’s Deal Was Not Cancelled but Left Unrenewed

The Bangladesh Cricket Board has formally addressed the recent speculation surrounding international umpire Sharafuddoula Ibne Shahid Saikat, making it clear that his contract was not cancelled. Instead, the agreement reached its expiry date and was subsequently left unrenewed.

In an official statement released on Tuesday, the BCB said reports suggesting that Sharafuddoula’s contract had been terminated were misleading and had caused unnecessary confusion. The board therefore decided to clarify his current contractual position.

According to the BCB, Sharafuddoula had been working as a centrally contracted umpire. His original agreement expired in December 2025 and was later extended until April 2026. Once that extension came to an end, the board chose not to issue a fresh central contract.

The BCB explained that since joining the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires, Sharafuddoula’s international workload has grown considerably. Because of his increased global commitments, fulfilling regular domestic duties for the board has become more challenging. Taking these circumstances into account, the board decided against extending the contract.

The statement also noted that many Full Member cricket boards do not retain ICC Elite Panel umpires on central contracts. The primary reason is the difficulty of managing extensive international officiating assignments alongside domestic scheduling obligations.

Despite the decision, the BCB stressed that its professional association with Sharafuddoula remains unchanged. Depending on his availability and international commitments, he will continue to be eligible to officiate in bilateral international fixtures in Bangladesh as well as domestic first-class, List A and T20 tournaments.

As evidence of this continuing relationship, the board pointed out that even after the expiry of his central contract, Sharafuddoula officiated in Bangladesh’s T20I series against Australia in June 2026 under the same arrangement. According to the BCB, this demonstrates that his working connection with the board is still fully in place.