Howzatt! Both umpires at Delhi ODI Gujaratis

VADODARA: While the entire country applauded India's comprehensive victory over Australia on Saturday night in Delhi, Gujaratis had one more reason to cheer.
For the first time ever, two umpires from the state Sanjay Hazare and Ameesh Sahebaofficiated on-field in a one-day international (ODI) match. Both stood as umpires in Saturday's day-night tie at Ferozshah Kotla Stadium in Delhi.Hazare hails from Vadodara and was officiating in his first ODI as on-field umpire while Saheba is from Ahmedabad.
The state has given a number of outstanding international cricketers to the country, but two umpires on an ICC international panel of umpires together is a first.
Saheba, in fact, was included on ICC's elite panel of umpires list last year and has officiated in number of international matches. However, his on-field colleague Hazare got premature opportunity to stand in his first ever ODI on Saturday as Mark Benson, who was to officiate in that match, fell ill and is yet to recover fully.
Umpire Ashoka De Silva was supposed to replace Benson, but his arrival to Delhi got delayed. Hence, ICC match referee Chris Broad decided to put Hazare as on-field umpire to reduce pressure off Saheba and Shavir Tarapore.
Hazare was told that he will stand as on-field umpire in Saturday's ODI hours before the tie. "My experience was excellent. It was my first ODI, but I didn't feel the pressure. Also, Saheba was there to guide me," Hazare said and refused to comment further citing ICC rules.
Hazare, who started umpiring in BCCI matches in 1992, had also officiated in the second edition of Indian Premier League (IPL) matches in April this year. He was included in ICC international panel of umpires in August. Saheba, on the other hand, is much more experienced with over two dozen ODIs and few test matches under his belt.
tushar.tere@timesgroup.com