While the BCB has expressed worries over the safety of its nationals and men’s cricket players ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup, Saikat is in India on official business with the International Cricket Council (ICC) as a neutral umpire. BCB has sent a letter to the ICC asking the governing body to move their T20 World Cup matches out of India.
Following the recent controversy between the two boards regarding Mustafizur Rahman’s release from the Kolkata Knight Riders squad for the upcoming IPL, the BCB stated that they are not prepared to travel to India to play in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup due to security concerns. However, many questions were raised after Saikat was seen officiating the opening ODI at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara on Sunday.
Iftekhar Rahman, chief of the BCB’s umpire department, told Cricbuzz on Sunday that Saikat did not need a no-objection certificate from the board because his contract allows him to leave anytime the ICC needs his services. Currently serving as the Head of BCB’s Umpire Education Department, Saikat is an ICC umpire who has officiated a few matches in the current Bangladesh Premier League T20 event.
“He (Saikat) is ICC contracted umpire, and we are saying this clearly that he is not contracted with us (BCB). Now, in our contract, it is written that when he has any ICC assignment, he will automatically be on leave from us. It will be an automatic leave, and I don’t need to give any NOC. In the job contract he has with me, it is written that if he has any ICC engagement, he must be automatically released. There is no authority for me to decide whether I give permission or not,” said Iftekhar.
In the forthcoming ICC T20 World Cup, which is set to take place in India and Sri Lanka, Saikat and ICC international umpire Gazi Sohel are expected to serve as match officials.