Win Projections to be updated soon
Dhaka, 13 September 2025:
Former ICC Elite Panel umpire Simon Taufel has begun his role as the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s umpire education consultant, saying he aims to build a stronger system for umpires and referees over the next two years.
Taufel, who signed a two-year deal with the BCB, arrived in Dhaka on Saturday and held discussions at board headquarters in Mirpur before outlining his vision. His first assignment will be overseeing umpiring standards in the National Cricket League T20, which begins Sunday across three venues.
“I’m humbled to be part of that process going forward for the next couple of years,” Taufel said. “I’m here to help, I’m here to create and support a better environment for umpires and referees — to be able to grow, develop, to serve Bangladesh cricket, to improve the standard of domestic cricket and make sure that they are going to be the best that they can be.”
He stressed that the development project will require patience and commitment. “It takes 10 years to become an overnight success,” Taufel said. “Now, I’m not saying it’s going to take another 10 years to see another elite panel umpire from Bangladesh, but that’s the type of commitment that’s required.”
Taufel, who officiated in 74 Tests, 174 ODIs and 34 T20Is, cited the example of India, where structured development eventually produced elite umpires such as S. Ravi and Nitin Menon. He also praised Bangladesh’s Saikat Sharfuddoula, who is currently on the ICC Elite Panel.
“Saikat deserves a lot of credit for his perseverance, dedication, resilience — to keep going,” Taufel said. “Not only is Saikat a role model, because he’s currently on the ICC elite panel of umpires, but he’s also an example of resilience, determination, perseverance. And I think that should be a message that is seen by a lot of other umpires, both male and female.”
Saikat, who debuted in ODIs alongside Taufel, welcomed his arrival. “I’ve always said that I am a big admirer of him,” Saikat said. “Even though we’ve been doing quite well in umpiring recently, I hope this progress continues with Simon. We hope to see more elite umpires in the future.”
Saikat added that Bangladesh needs a cultural shift. “Respect for umpires is a bit lacking here. We are a very cricketer-oriented nation. But seeing what the cricket board is doing now, I believe there will be improvement. We need to dream. I am not the last one to be on the elite panel — many more elite panel umpires will come.”
