Sabbir Rahman fined 30% of his match fee

Bangladesh cricket star Sabbir Rahman has been fined 30 percent of his match fee and has also received two demerit points for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during his side’s seven runs victory over Afghanistan in the first One-Day International in Mirpur on Sunday.

Sabbir was found to have breached Article 2.1.4 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to ‘using language or a gesture that is obscene, offensive or insulting during an International Match’.

In accordance with Article 7.3 of the revised Code, which came into effect on 22 September, in addition to the sanction imposed for his breach of Article 2.1.4, two demerit points have been added to Sabbir’s disciplinary record.

Pursuant to Article 7.6 of the Code, if Sabbir reaches four or more demerit points within a 24-month period his demerit points will be converted into, at least, two suspension points which will equate to a ban from his next match or matches.

Two suspension points equate to a ban from one Test or two ODIs or two T20Is, whatever comes first for the player. The incident happened during Afghanistan’s run-chase when, after a drinks interval, Sabbir questioned umpire Sharfuddoula’s LBW decision and also made inappropriate comments.

Sabbir admitted the offence and accepted the sanctions proposed by Richie Richardson of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees and, as such, there was no need for a formal hearing. The charge was leveled by on-field umpires Chettithody Shamshuddin and Sharfuddoula, third umpire Anisur Rehman and fourth umpire Tanvir Ahmed.

For all first offences, Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand, a maximum penalty of 50 per cent of a player’s match fee, and one or two demerit points.