GT20 Canada 2024: Why Shakib Al Hasan's Bangla Tigers Lost Despite Eliminator Match Being Abandoned Due to Rain?

Controversy rocked the Global T20 Canada after Shakib Al Hasan-led Bangla Tigers Mississauga were knocked out of the tournament despite Eliminator being washed out and the team finishing above their opponents Toronto Nationals in the points table.

Bangla Tigers were scheduled to face fourth placed Toronto Nationals in the eliminator match on Friday (August 9), but persistent rain meant it was necessary for the organizers to get a result and also get the venue ready in time for the qualifier 2 later in the day.

The tournament had already seen the first match of the GT20 Canada 2024 playoff match end in abandonment due to rain with the top-placed Montreal Tigers progressing to the final, and their opponents Brampton Wolves heading into Qualifier 2.

Bangla Tigers also should have progressed to the Qualifier 2 if the match had been completely abandoned, but their refusal to play the super over meant the result as a forfeit with Toronto Nationals moving into the qualifier 2.

Initially, the eliminator match of GT20 Canada Season 4 between the Mississauga Bangla Tigers and the Toronto Nationals was delayed due to rain in Brampton.

After repeated inspections, the umpires along with the match referee decided, going by the tournament regulations, that a super over would be played between the two teams at 7:30 pm with the toss to be held at 7:10 pm.

At the time of the toss, the Toronto Nationals captain was present, but the Bangla Tigers skipper Shakib refused to appear. The match referee explained the plausible consequences of the said action to the captain and thereafter the umpire subsequently called off the match.

Based on the report of the match referee, the Tournament Technical Committee unanimously decided to award the match to the Toronto Nationals who advanced to play the Brampton Wolves in the second qualifier.

According to a report in ESPN Cricinfo, the Bangla Tigers owner Zafir Yasin had argued that the game should have been at least a five or ten-overs a side contest to decide the winner, and not just a Super Over.

GLT20 CEO Joy Bhattacharjya, however, explained it was a decision made by the match officials and the super over is not something that was introduced just for the Eliminator.

Like most franchise leagues, the Global T20 Canada playing conditions also had mentioned the league stage matches which are abandoned will see the teams share points, but the playoffs will be decided in a 1-over eliminator if the conditions permit.

Bangla Tigers' refusal to play a super over saw the Toronto Nationals move into the qualifier 2, which they won, beating Brampton Wolves, and later went all the way to lift the title following an 8-wicket win over Montreal Tigers in teh GT20 Canada 2024 final on Sunday (August 11).