Shakib, Nurul fined for breaching ICC code of conduct

Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan and squad member Nurul Hasan have been fined 25 percent of their match fees and also handed one demerit point each for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct in the fracas that marred their win over Sri Lanka on Friday (March 16).

The thrilling fixture, which ended with Bangladesh's narrow win to dump the hosts out of the tournament, turned ugly in the final over of the former's run chase. Shakib was reprimanded for his gesture during that over, as he appeared to be signalling to his batsmen to come off the field after Mustafizur Rahman was run out of a delivery which was first ruled as a no-ball for being the second bouncer of the over, before the square leg umpire changed his decision.

"The square leg umpire had signalled it a no-ball and then upon discussions, changed the call, which I don't think is the right decision," Shakib said at the end of the match. "I don't know if the first bouncer was called as one for the over but when the second bouncer was bowled, the umpire did call it a no ball," Shakib had said following the narrow two-wicket win.

The change of call also prompted a few substitutes from the Bangladesh dugout - including Nurul - to make their way to the middle and confront Sri Lanka captain Thisara Perera. Nurul's fine was imposed for his finger-waging act at Perera, before the situation was brought under control and play resumed.

As per an ICC release, both players pleaded guilty and accepted the sanctions put in place by match referee Chris Broad after charges were levelled against the pair by on-field umpires Raveendra Wimalasiri and Ruchira Palliyaguruge, third umpire Ranmore Martinesz and fourth umpire Lyndon Hannibal.

"Friday's incidents were disappointing as you don't want to see such player behavior during any level of cricket. I understand that it was a tense and an edge-of-the-seat match with place in the final on the line, but the actions of the two players were unacceptable and cannot be condoned as they clearly went overboard. Had the fourth umpire not stopped Shakib and the fielders remonstrating, and then the on-field umpires not intervened between Nurul and Thisara, things could have become worse," Broad said.

"Shakib was found to have breached Article 2.1.1 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to "conduct that is contrary to the spirit of the game", while Nurul was found guilty of violating Article 2.1.2, which deals with "conduct that brings the game into disrepute"."

"The incident involving Shakib happened in 19.2 over of the Bangladesh innings when he came to the edge of the boundary and gestured at his batsmen to come off the field while remonstrating against an umpiring decision. As regards Nurul, the reserve player argued and pointed finger at Sri Lanka captain Thisara Perera which led to unruly public behaviour after he was sent by the team on to the field of play to pass on a message to the two batsmen," the ICC release stated.

There was more trouble following the conclusion of the high-octane fixture, with the glass door of the visitors' dressing room being shattered. However, the ground staff have written to Broad saying the CCTV footage doesn't provide conclusive evidence of who was responsible for the damage.

Information Source www.cricbuzz.com on 2018.03.17
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