Storm will surely come, yet cricketers like Jessy will still make history

It is unusual for discussions or debates not to occur on any topic in this country. Generally, there's a tendency for everyone to express opinions or showcase expertise on any subject matter, apart from their own field. This leads to a sort of comparison among the public in terms of knowledge or expertise, leaving aside personal matters. And with the advent of social media, there's virtually no barrier to presenting oneself. If desired, anything can be freely expressed. There's no necessity for any inquiry or contemplation on relevant subjects. Even very ordinary or common events often lead to intense arguments on both sides. And matters like religion, politics, women, or the outcome of cricket matches are hot topics. Among these, not every argument or consideration seems to be rational. Consequently, discernment is not even slightly hindered to prefer fallacy over reason.

There's no way a woman umpire will ever officiate a men's cricket match in Dhaka's stadium; it's deemed impossible. On April 25th, in the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur, during a match between Mohammedan Sporting Club and Prime Bank Cricket Club in the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket Super League, there was heated debate over Shathira Jakir Jessy's umpiring decisions. It's true that her being a woman caused the debate. However, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that having a woman umpire in men's cricket is revolutionary in the context of Bangladesh. Any change is bound to cause some upheaval. When established systems are challenged, there might be resistance initially. Embracing the new could create conflict. Progress has indeed been made through such conflicts in society. It's not something entirely new. However, gradually, we see people either embracing the new or being compelled to do so. While some may not accept it mentally, they do not hesitate to avail themselves of the opportunities and conveniences of modernity. When we look back on the past, the truth becomes apparent without much difficulty. Otherwise, society would become stagnant. However, the event that we observe from a distance, as easy as it is to grasp, when we have to face the event in reality, it is not surprising if we become confused.

As an umpire, seeing Jessy suddenly may have surprised both the players and organizers of Mohammedan and Prime Bank Cricket Club. Perhaps they didn't expect it. Both teams were dissatisfied with the appointment of a female umpire, breaking the norms of the game. Due to their attitude, the match was delayed. However, whatever the reason, this didn't pose much of a problem. BCB Umpires Committee chairman Iftikhar Ahmed Mitu stated, "Both teams have expressed dissatisfaction regarding the female umpire. However, no formal complaint has been lodged." Following Mitu's statement, there has been a mixed reaction on social media, particularly on Facebook. The interesting thing is that despite being a woman, Jessy's unwavering support on this matter hasn't waned. This implies that supporters are not necessarily pleased with the idea of a woman umpiring in men's cricket.

However, although both teams had different opinions regarding Mitu's statement, they were both dissatisfied with having a female umpire. This can be easily inferred from the statements of both teams' officials. Mohammedan's cricket coordinator Tarikul Islam Titu told the media, "We didn't actually raise any objections. We were discussing that according to the merit of the match, Jessy shouldn't have been the umpire in such a big match. We needed a better umpire. We didn't officially complain, so why should we complain officially? We didn't report in that way." Prime Bank's team manager, Shikdar Abul Hashem, said, "We didn't know that a female umpire would be appointed. We all know the experience of female umpires in Bangladesh. We don't object. Since this is a big match, we were expecting regular umpires”.

Hashem's remarks make his skeptical attitude towards female umpires evident. It might suggest that he believes male umpires never make mistakes. By attempting to present his arguments, he has made an irrational comment. Understanding his true mindset doesn't require much effort. It cannot be said that both teams had no objections regarding female umpires; their demeanor and implicit expressions make it clear. Instead, amidst the debates and criticisms on social media, they found themselves compelled to take a defensive stance. Perhaps if they had received favorable responses, they might have demonstrated more courage. Certainly, they cannot be accused for this. In societies where they have grown under certain norms and perspectives, it's not easy for them to readily accept women in roles traditionally held by men. Their ego or sensitivity might be hurt. Such tendencies are often applicable to most men. In many cases, women also exhibit similar perspectives. However, it's not fair to say that everyone nurtures the same mindset and perspective. Some senior cricketers have congratulated Jessy and expressed their support for her.

The path for women is certainly not smooth. They often have to struggle a lot to assert their rights and dignity. Despite overcoming various obstacles, they may not always receive the respect and appreciation they deserve. The life stories of women who have made history or held prominent positions in society can shed light on this reality. Shathira Jakir Jessy has made history as a female umpire. In international cricket, she became Bangladesh's first female umpire. From childhood, she had a strong passion and love for cricket. Since childhood, she dreamed of becoming a cricketer. She played with boys, driven by the same passion. Consequently, she has had to face a lot of criticism. However, she did not let it affect her determination.

Jessy, a native of Lalmonirhat, has been gradually making strides forward. She has played for the Bangladesh national team in both One Day Internationals and Twenty20 matches. In 2010, she was a proud member of the Bangladesh team that clinched the silver medal at the Asian Games held in Guangzhou, China. Known as a right-arm off-break bowler, this cricketer has played domestic cricket in the Rangpur division. She also competes in the Premier League. Additionally, she has achieved recognition as a cricket commentator. She has already umpired in 10 Twenty20 international cricket matches. On June 10th, she will go to Hong Kong to umpire in the Emerging Asia Cup. She will be the first woman from Bangladesh to umpire at the international level. This is a significant achievement for her and for Bangladesh. She regularly umpires in domestic cricket, and with her experience, she is well-prepared for the role of an umpire. She has shown enough competence to handle situations smartly.

Jessy has been appointed as the first female on-field umpire in the Dhaka Premier League. Prior to this, she served as the first reserve umpire in matches involving Mohammedan Sporting Club and Shinepukur Sporting Club. Iftikhar Mithu stated, "Jessy has been recruited for the Premier League to groom her for the T20 World Cup. She is an ICC Development Umpire. She has officiated in various capacities in the Bangladesh women's team series in Australia and also served as an on-field umpire in the Bangladesh-India series. It would not be fair to call her inexperienced in any way." The most significant aspect is that Jessy has showcased remarkable competence in match officiating. Despite making occasional errors, they were not considered severe. Such errors are commonplace even in domestic cricket and are part and parcel of international cricket. No player has been seen to lodge any complaints against her on the field. The match referee for this match, former captain of the Bangladesh national cricket team, A.S.M. Raqibul Hasan, did not raise any allegations regarding her umpiring on that day. He expressed satisfaction with her umpiring.

However, former captain of the Bangladesh national cricket team and one of the directors of the Bangladesh Cricket Board, Khaled Mahmud Sujon, has commented on Jessy's umpiring. He said, "Jessy's experience is not suitable for umpiring in big matches like those in the premier league. In big games, I always believe you need someone with experience. The pressure on the field is immense. Although there is no such pressure in the local cricket matches, even in the Abahani-Mohammedan matches. Still, big teams are playing, and national team players are participating. We need an umpire who earns the players' respect." Even though Jessy is recognized both domestically and internationally as an umpire, being discouraged by someone as responsible as Sujon can indeed be disheartening. However, as Sujon mentioned, "Jessie is a very good umpire. She will do very well for Bangladesh in the future." When she is a good umpire, where's the inconvenience in umpiring in the Premier League right now? If policymakers have the same attitude as Sujon, then what can we expect from others but better? Despite facing various obstacles, cricketers like Jessy are paving the way for future women to reap the rewards.