Athar to be on commentary despite Bangladesh missing World Cup, along with two umpires

Sports Desk
The red-green jersey holders may not be seen fighting in the upcoming T20 World Cup, but Bangladesh’s representation on the world stage will not stop. Even though Bangladesh is not in the World Cup, two experienced Bangladeshi umpires, Sharfudullah Saikat and Gazi Sohel, are there. ‘They’ have no security problems while covering matches or performing their duties on the soil of India and Sri Lanka. Now, as new news with the umpires, it has been learned that Bangladesh’s Athar Ali Khan will also be on the World Cup panel as a commentator.

​Athar Ali Khan will be the voice of Bangladesh in the 40-member star-studded commentary panel announced by the ICC for this mega event. Scotland has replaced Bangladesh in this 20-team tournament to be held in India and Sri Lanka. Although there is no team in field cricket due to the politics of the interim Yunus government, Bangladesh will have a bright presence through umpiring and commentary.

Star-studded commentary panel
​The panel announced by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Friday will be led by legends like Ravi Shastri, Nasser Hussain, Ian Smith and Ian Bishop. Along with ‘them’, the panel will also include:

Former World Cup-winning captains: Eoin Morgan and Aaron Finch.
​Legendary cricketers: Wasim Akram, Sunil Gavaskar, Matthew Hayden and Ramiz Raja.
​Current players: Temba Bavuma and veteran Angelo Mathews.

Broadcast plan
​The tournament, which begins tomorrow, will feature a total of 55 matches. Commentators will provide expert analysis on every match from the knockout stage through to the final on March 8. The stars will be featured regularly on ICC.tv in pre-match shows, intermissions and post-match discussions.

​While it is heartbreaking for the fans to not be in the World Cup as a team, the presence of Sharfudullah Saikat and Gazi Sohail in the umpiring and Athar Ali Khan in the microphone is a consolation for the country. And it further proves how wrong a decision it was for Bangladesh to boycott the World Cup by creating political tension under the pretext of security.