All-rounder Shakib Al Hasan and reserve player Nurul Hasan Shohan were fined 25 per cent of their match fees for separate incidents during the last league match of the Nidahas Trophy Tri-nation T20 cricket against Sri Lanka at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Friday.
Both players have also received one demerit point each for breaching Level 1 of the ICC code of conduct in addition to fine, but they escaped heavy punishment like suspension.
Tigers stormed into the final in the Nidahas Trophy eliminating hosts Sri Lanka by two wickets in the much talked about and nail-biting last league match on Friday with one ball remaining to play their giant rivals India in the final on Sunday (March 18) at the same venue.
In the final over of that tense-packed chase, Shakib gestured towards the Bangladesh batsmen cum recent past interim captain Mahmudullah Riyad and Rubel Hossain to come off the field from the boundary line while they remonstrating against an umpiring decision.
Shakib was found to have indulged in conduct that is contrary to the spirit of the game.
Nurul was seen arguing with Sri Lankan captain Thisara Perera after he was sent by the team on to the field to pass on a message to the two batsmen. He was found guilty of violating Article 2.1.2, which deals with "conduct that brings the game into disrepute".
This was the first time that two players had picked up a demerit point since the system came into effect on 22 September 2016.
Both Shakib and Nurul Hasan pleaded guilty to the offences on Saturday morning and accepted the sanctions proposed by match referee Chris Broad and, as such, there was no need for a formal hearing.
Another report adds: Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Saturday regretted the unfortunate happenings during Friday's Nidahas Trophy match between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
The board accepted that conduct of the Bangladesh Team in certain instances was unacceptable on a cricket field.
In a media release on Saturday, BCB stated, "We understand that the events may have transpired due to the importance of the match and the pressure that comes with it but feel that the expected level of professionalism was not exhibited by the team while dealing with a tense situation in the game".
The Bangladesh Team members have been reminded of their responsibility in upholding the spirit of cricket at all times.
The BCB and Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) have a lasting bond which has a deep-rooted history of support and cooperation and the players of both sides continue to share an excellent relationship that gets stronger by the day, reports UNB.
