DHAKA, March 26, 2022 (BSS)-Bangladesh women umpires made their presence in 
cricket field with the traditional Independence Cup, which is held every year 
to mark the country's Independence Day. 

Sathira Jakir Jessy, a former Bangladesh women's team player, officiated the 
match between Bangladesh Red XI and Bangladesh Green XI along with Syed 
Mahbubullah today at the Academy ground of the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket 
Stadium. 

In doing so, she opened a new chapter in Bangladesh cricket on a day when 
Bangladesh emerged as an Independent country in 1971. 

"The women umpires had already officiated some of the matches in our country 
but no one knew about it," Jessy said here after officiating the match.

Another women umpire Dolly has been officiating matches since 2009, specially 
in divisional sport, which hardly anyone knows. 

"Last week, I told Mithu bhai (Iftikhar Ahmed Mithu, the chairman of Umpires 
Committee) that I would like to officiate the Independence Cup match. Because 
no one would have known if I started umpiring from another place," said 
Jessy, who completed her umpiring course along with other women's cricketers 
in 2009.

She hoped that the BCB will give the women umpires an opportunity to 
officiate a good number of matches. 

"In the country like Pakistan, the women umpires officiate the matches 
regularly but here we don't get enough chance as of now. Now when everyone 
knows about Bangladesh's women umpires, thanks to this auspicious day, I 
hope, we'll get a good platform." 

However Bangladesh Red XI beat Bangladesh Green XI by 74 runs in 20-over 
game. Opting to bat first, Bangladesh Red compiled a hefty 269-8 with Rajin 
Saleh hitting 87 off 37, with three fours and 10 sixes. He was ably supported 
by Tusher Imran's 38 ball-77, studded by five fours and seven sixes. Fast 
bowler Hasibul Hussain Shanto grabbed 5-45. 

In reply, Bangladesh Green were bowled out for 195 in 18.5 overs. After the 
top and middle order batters failure, No.9 batter Jamal Babu struck 62 off 20 
with six fours and five sixes to help the side edge closer to 200-run mark. 
Red pacer Mahbub Alam Robin scalped 5-30.
 
Bangladesh Red XI: Mehrab Hossain Opee, Hannan Sarkar, Tushar Imran, Sanurar 
Hossain, Minhajul Abedin Nannu, Anwar Hossain, Abdur Razzak, Rajin Saleh, 
Talha Jubair, Sajal Chowdhury, Mahbubul Alam Robin, Enamul Haque Moni, 
Ehsanul Haque Seezan, Nazmul Hossain, Yousuf Babu.

Manager: Mohammad Ali

Bangladesh Green XI: Javed Omar Belim, Saiful Islam, Shahriar Hossain Biddut, 
Shahriar Nafees Ahmed, Jamal Babu, Khaled Mashud Pilot, Mohammad Rafique, 
Hasibul Hussain Shanto, Syed Rasel, Harunur Rashid Liton, Jahangir Alom, 
Dollar Mahmud, Faisal Hossain Decance, Mohammad Selim, Hasanuzzaman Jhoru.

Manager: ASM Roqibul Hasan.