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KARACHI: Cricket's governing body in Asia on Monday rejected a complaint from Bangladesh that one of their batsman was obstructed by a Pakistani bowler in their recent Asia Cup final defeat.
The complaint was rejected on the grounds that it was not reported by on-field umpires, an official said.
Ashraful Huq, chief executive of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), said Bangladesh officially complained about the last over of the final, which Bangladesh narrowly lost.
“We had received Bangladesh's complaint but since the incident was not reported by the on-field umpires nothing can be done,” Ashraful told AFP from Kuala Lumpur.
Bangladesh had appealed to the ACC to review the final over, accusing Pakistani paceman Aizaz Cheema of deliberately blocking batsman Mahmudullah Riyad from taking a second run.
Pakistan beat Bangladesh by two runs to lift the four-nation Asia Cup after a thrilling final on Thursday.
The Pakistan Cricket Board had expressed disappointment over Bangladesh's complaint, calling it an “after thought” after defeat.
Ashraful, who also hailed from Bangladesh, said the International Cricket Council (ICC) had also turned down the complaint.
“It could have happened then and there, in the final but since umpires and match-referee did not take any action then, so the matter is closed,” said Ashraful.
“I think the Bangladesh team played so well in the whole tournament, beating India and Sri Lanka -- World Cup 2011 finalists -- was no mean achievement and although they lost the final, the Bangladesh team won millions of hearts.”
