ICC backs umpires in Tigers’ match

The International Cricket Council today backed one of its umpires' calls that led to controversy during the World Cup 2015 quarterfinal between Bangladesh and India.

"The no-ball decision was a 50-50 call. The spirit of the game dictates that the umpire's decision is final and must be respected," said David Richardson, chief executive of the ICC, in a statement released to the media today.

During the quarterfinal match at Melbourne yesterday, two umpiring decisions raised eyebrows of Bangladeshi fans – the no-ball call of a delivery that saved Rohit Sharma, who later went on to score a ton, and the dismissal of Mahmudullah at the ropes.

Today, a day after ICC President AHM Mustafa Kamal went vocal and said will resign if needs be, the supreme cricket council issued the statement slamming its chief as well.

"The ICC has noted Mr Mustafa Kamal's comments, which are very unfortunate but made in his personal capacity. As an ICC President, he should have been more considerate in his criticism of ICC match officials, whose integrity cannot be questioned."

"Any suggestion that the match officials had "an agenda" or did anything other than perform to the best of their ability are baseless and are refuted in the strongest possible terms."