Bangladesh had a hard time on the field in South Africa's second innings with quite a few decisions from on-field umpires creating doubts in the minds of the players on whether to use DRS.

When Ebadot Hossain's delvery trapped Sarel Erwee in front of the stumps in the 19th over, it looked like a straight forward decision but umpire Adrian Holdstock turned Bangladesh down before Ebadot got his man through a review. Then in the 25th over, Khaled Ahmed's inswinger rapped Keegan Peetersen on the pads but this time another South African umpire Marais Erasmus turned down the appeal. Bangladesh, perhaps caught in two minds, did not review the decision.

Taskin Ahmed's delivery that got Proteas skipper Dean Elgar out, hit the batter on the pads and while Bangladesh were convinced, they still had to overturn Erasmus's not out decision with a review. Such decisions did not help Bangladesh's cause in their attempts to keep South Africa from furthering their lead. All-rounder Shakib Al Hasan tweeted that neutral umpires should be brought back with Covid-19 situation improving all around the world. Team director Khaled Mahmud echoed those sentiments later during a press conference today.

"Umpire has a big role in a Test match and batter getting out or not has a big impact. We have seen it from the morning…there is nothing to hide regarding the umpiring as a number of decisions went against us. Maybe if we had gotten those decisions earlier, we might have been chasing 180 instead of 270."

Bangladesh appeared to be frustrated on the field with South Africa scoring quick runs in the first session while decisions were not going Bangladesh's way. The likes of Ebadot, Khaled, Mehedi Hasan Miraz and Taskin were able to keep their heads during such situations but Mahmud opined that if decisions came their way earlier, the target would have been much smaller. Bangladesh lost three quick wickets before close of play and need 263 runs on a day five pitch to win the game. Mahmud said that he has seen such inconsistency in umpiring after a long time. 

"The umpires are the best judge and their decision has to be respected. There was a case for a review in one instance (Khaled against Peetersen in the 25th over) where we didn't take it perhaps out of fear or maybe the boys made a mistake and we could have had a wicket there. Actually, seeing such inconsistent umpiring after a long time to be very very honest," Mahmud said.

Mahmud divulged upon how the bowlers might have felt hard done by some of the decisions and urged the ICC to look into the situation and bring back neutral umpires.

"I think ICC should look into the umpiring aspect since the world has opened now and it will be better with neutral umpires.

"There is a bit of help for spinners out there but for faster bowlers its tough job to pitch in the right areas and get wickets. Whoever is bowling a long spell, as a bowler one can feel hard done by when they go full tilt in full rhythm and pace for a long spell and do not get a decision. It can be demoralising for the bowler and the whole team. For instance, when Miraz was turned down in the first ball of the over once, he shortened the length of the deliveries for four of the next five deliveries. It's not easy but again umpire is the best judge but what I can say is that consistency should be there for both teams. People make mistakes and umpires can make mistakes too and I feel that both the teams will be happy with neutral umpires. We all want a fair game," he concluded.