BANGLADESH PREMIER LEAGUE

BPL blooper - Attempting DRS without snicko, hotspot and ultra edge

by Atif Azam • Last updated on

DRS has been introduced for the first time in BPL this season © Getty

The Bangladesh Cricket Board has asked the broadcaster to bring required supporting tools to make the DRS [Decision Review System] more effective in the Bangladesh Premier League.

The DRS was introduced for the first time in the BPL this season but it appeared that organizers did not have the knowledge that it won't be effective without hotspot, snickometer or even ultra edge technology. Cricbuzz learnt that the package with all the supporting tools would have cost USD 100000 while the package they are using currently cost them USD 75000.

During the second match of the second day between Comilla Victorians and Sylhet Sixers, confusion was raised regarding the dismissal of Steven Smith. Sylhet pacer Al Amin Hossain immediately asked for a review after a caught-behind appeal against Smith was turned down by the on-field umpire.

The third umpire eventually decided to give Smith out after taking a look at few replays. That, however, did not seem too conclusive with the help of ultra motion only.

In the absence of snickometer and ultra edge technology, it was almost impossible for the third umpire to decide whether there was an edge with the help of just the ultra motion as it only helps to make the right decision regarding legbefore decision.

"The organizers informed us before the start of the tournament about the absence of snickometer in DRS as it is expensive to include those technologies," Victorians coach Mohammad Salahuddin told reporters after the match.

"I think the time is right for those technologies to be included as it won't be of any benefit with the prevailing DRS system because without those technologies [ultra edge, snickometer or Hot Spot] there will always be doubts over few decisions."

After the game between Victorians and Sixers, BPL governing council members sat with the broadcasters and asked them to bring the ultra-edge system.

A source close to the developments confirmed to Cricbuzz that initially BPL governing council members believed that ultra motion would be good enough to run the show while their eyes only opened after confusion was raised with the dismissal of Smith.

BPL governing council chairman Jalal Yunus told Cricbuzz that they have signed a deal recently and expecting to use the ultra edge within three days. "We are expecting to use ultra-edge to make the DRS work better within next three days as we have already negotiated about it with the broadcasters," said Jalal.

© Cricbuzz