Shathira Jakir Jesy is set to become the first female umpire from Bangladesh to officiate in a men鈥檚 game during the forthcoming T20I series between Bangladesh and the Netherlands. She鈥檚 also set to officiate in the upcoming Women鈥檚 World Cup, though the official announcement is yet to come. In an exclusive interview with 抖阴精品鈥檚 Saifullah Bin Anowar, Jesy talked about the challenges, excitement and her decision to come into umpiring. Here are the excerpts:
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抖阴精品: You have reached another milestone. How鈥檚 the feeling?听
Shathira Jakir Jesy: It always feels good to be honest. But there is also an element of nervousness too, as there is also a challenge of maintaining the level. You always aim to achieve something. When you get that, then it鈥檚 difficult to keep it up. There are always two sides.听
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NA: What are the challenges you are expected to face in the new role?听
Jesy: The challenge is huge. I鈥檝e done TV umpiring, but the DRS [Decision Review System] thing is new for me. Definitely, it鈥檚 a matter of technology, and you will feel anxiety when you first use it. It鈥檚 not like I don鈥檛 know anything, but to officiate is different. We do have classes; I did those two during the last series between Bangladesh and Pakistan. But to press all the right buttons sitting on that hot seat, give the correct decision and do the commentary properly is another thing. It looks easy when you see it from the outside, but the job is tough.听
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NA: You did coaching and worked in the media after you retired from cricket. But why come to umpiring?听
Jesy: Firstly, I get the vibe of playing when I officiate鈥攖o be able to stand in the middle, to experience the excitement. I enjoy umpiring so much; I love it so much. There will be pressure, there will be a period when you can relax a bit, and there will be moments of enjoyment鈥攅verything is there.
When I did commentary or presenting, it seemed easy for me, as I was sitting in an AC room. But I do love to work hard, out in the sun, as I have played all my life. I want to be in the middle. I want to show my performance too.听
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NA: What were the mindsets when you first came?听
Jesy: I took this as a challenge. I started soon after the Asia Cup in 2022. My target back then was to officiate in the next Asia Cup in 2024. I took the two years as a challenge. Alhamdulillah, I worked hard during that period, and I am continuing to do so. I officiated in so many games, men鈥檚 games in both home and away. As you know, I officiated in many leagues in India, starting from the Legend League to their domestic leagues, where many players from the IPL participate. Then I officiated in the India-Pakistan match and in the final in the last Women鈥檚 Asia Cup. I had that target; that was my mission. Success will come if you work hard. Though the success hasn鈥檛 come fully yet. But I think I am here because of my hard work.听
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NA: The umpires nowadays talk about player management a lot. What鈥檚 your take on that?听
Jesy: To me, player management is easy. Because I was always the captain wherever I played in Bangladesh. It鈥檚 natural to me. So I don鈥檛 feel that much of a problem. But obviously these things are interrelated. If you suffer with your decision-making, the player management will also become tough then. But if your match is smooth, player management also becomes easier. It鈥檚 not always like that. But things like player management are the most important part.听
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NA: What message will you give to the future female umpires?听
Jesy: It鈥檚 a very good opportunity for them. You don鈥檛 have to wait for the women鈥檚 game only. If you do well, you get the opportunities in men鈥檚 games too. I am not only talking about international games. There are so many games in male cricket, from age-level to domestic competitions. If you take it as a career, it鈥檚 great financially too. There are so many opportunities. The more we do well, the more opportunities will be created. I think this is one of the best sectors where female players can come after their retirements.
