Bangladesh v England, 1st Test, Dhaka

Dhaka power cut investigated by Anti-Corruption Unit

Wisden Cricinfo staff

November 7, 2003

The International Cricket Council's flying squad, the Anti-Corruption Unit, has investigated the floodlight failure on the third day of the first Test between Bangladesh and England at Dhaka last month.

The blackout occurred at the end of the third day's play at a time when Bangladesh had just begun their first innings and were facing a hostile opening spell from Stephen Harmison. The investigation was prompted by questions as to why the power failure only affected the floodlights and not any other electrical supply on the ground. It was that which made the official Bangladesh Cricket Board explanation that there had been "a grid failure somewhere down the line" fodder for the conspiracy theorists.

But reports in the newspapers indicate that the ACU enquiries produced little of substance, with the Daily Telegraph quoting an "insider" as saying that "the more questions the ACU asked, the more different answers they got". The explanation could be far simpler - power supplies in Dhaka are notoriously unreliable and power cuts a far from rare occurrence.

While it is extremely unlikely that the ACU will unearth anything concrete, it will be looking closely at the ODI series, where the second and third matches are day-nighters. The local power companies have been contacted and assurances obtained that there will be no repeat of the scenes at Dhaka.

© Cricinfo

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