Pakistan batter Salman Agha has been reprimanded and handed a demerit point for breaching the ICC’s code of conduct during the second ODI against Bangladesh in Mirpur on Friday.
Agha was found to have breached Article 2.2, which relates to “abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings during an international match”.
The incident occurred in the 39th over of Pakistan’s innings when Agha threw his gloves and helmet onto the ground after being involved in an unusual run-out. Agha, who made 64 from 62 balls, had been backing up at the non-striker’s end when Mohammad Rizwan drove the ball back towards the bowler, Mehidy Hasan Miraz. Miraz stopped the ball with his foot, and Agha, still out of his ground, was about to pick it up to hand it to the bowler when Miraz grabbed it and broke the wicket with an underarm throw.
Agha reacted furiously to the dismissal, but cleared the air at the press conference later, calling for “sportsman spirit” and saying he would have done things “differently” had he been in Mehidy’s shoes.
Agha admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by match referee Neeyamur Rashid Rahul. Level 1 offences carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand, a maximum penalty of 50% of a player’s match fee, and one or two demerit points.
