C T Online Desk: Bangladesh national cricket team director Khaled Mahmud is upset of the inconsistent umpiring in the ongoing first Test of the series against hosts South Africa in Durban.

Tourists Bangladesh on day four of the game were left frustrated with calls from the on-field umpires Adrian Holdstock and Marais Erasmus. There were at least nine occasions when Bangladesh bowling in the South Africa second innings had to challenge the umpire’s decision.

The Proteas found captain Dean Elgar score the most in the innings – 64 runs- but only riding on his luck. The left-handed batter got dismissed to an LBW against Taskin Ahmed but only after Bangladesh called for a review when South African umpire Marais Erasmus had turned down the initial appeal.

“It is frustrating. Umpires have a big role to play in Test matches. A lot depends on a decision. You all have seen the umpiring, there is nothing to hide. Some decision went for us which if we had got early, we would have been chasing 180 or so instead of 270,” said BCB director Mahmud to the media on Sunday.

“We of course respect the umpires. They are the judge of the field and we need to accept their decision. But it is a fact that we have seen such inconsistent umpiring after a very long time,” the former Bangladesh captain added.

Chasing 274 runs and a day left, Bangladesh lost three early wickets batting only six overs before stumps on day four. The dismissal of Mahmudul Hasan Joy on four, Shadman Islam for a duck and captain Mominul Haque for just two runs were a major blow to Bangladesh’s hope of bagging an historic first Test win against South Africa.

With 263 runs more needed and seven wickets in hand Mahmud however is still optimistic.

“It can happen in cricket [the top order collapse]. There is still a possible chance, we have seven batsmen to go. If we bat well and bat long, we have a good chance to be in this Test match. Whether we win or lose, I am very excited,” said Mahmud.

“The boys bowled really well and came back very strongly to restrict their lead to 273. At one time they (South Africa) were batting very confidently. All the bowlers did their job very well and we fielded brilliantly,” he added.