Bangladesh batsman Sabbir Rahman has been warned to conduct himself after receiving three demerit points for breaching International Cricket Council’s Code of Conduct twice in the last few weeks. The batsman has been punished twice in two weeks after the introduction of the new system from September 22. He was first found guilty of breaching the code of conduct during the first One-Day International (ODI) against Afghanistan on September 25, and received two demerit points for questioning umpire Sharfuddoula’s leg-before decision and then making inappropriate comments. He was also fined 30% of his match fees for the offence.
His second offence came during the second ODI against England when he, along with his captain Mashrafe Mortaza, were penalised for their over the top celebrations following JosButtler’s dismissal. Both the players were fined 20% of their match fee and also received one demerit point each.
One more demerit point within the next 24-months will see the points getting converted into suspension points which could lead to Rahman’s suspension for one or more games.
“We have already spoken to him about the risk that he is facing regarding the suspensions,” said Khaled Mahmud, Bangladesh cricket team’s manager, on Tuesday (October 11). “He is aware where he stands. After what happened in the last game, I think he has to tone down his celebrations, avoid doing what he did in that incident. He can obviously celebrate but within the appropriate limits.”
The team manager also praised the new system introduced by the apex body and said that the point system is beneficial for the players.
“I think the new system is quite helpful to the players. They now know where they stand in terms of the demerit points. Previously he may have been suspended after the second incident but now he has another chance,” Mahmud said.