Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan was fined 10% of his match fee and received a demerit point for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during the Rawalpindi Test against Pakistan. The incident occurred on the fifth day when Shakib, about to bowl, stopped upon noticing that Mohammad Rizwan was not ready, engaged in a conversation with Bangladesh’s wicketkeeper Litton Das. As Rizwan turned back, Shakib threw the ball in a way that it passed over Rizwan’s head, leading to an on-field reprimand by Umpire Richard Kettleborough.
Match referee Ranjan Madugalle found Shakib guilty of violating Article 2.9 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which addresses inappropriate or dangerous throwing of a ball or cricket equipment near another person during an international match. Shakib accepted the charges and the proposed penalty, avoiding the need for a formal hearing. The charges were brought by umpires Kettleborough, Adrian Holdstock, Michael Gough, and Rashid Riaz.
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This marks Shakib’s first demerit point in the last 24 months. If a player accumulates four or more demerit points within that period, they are converted to suspension points, leading to bans from international matches. Shakib, who had impressive bowling figures in the match, is also currently under legal scrutiny in Dhaka for his alleged involvement in a murder case related to student protests that contributed to the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government, where he served as a Member of Parliament.
Shakib’s performance in the Rawalpindi Test was significant, but his off-field controversies, including his political involvement, continue to attract attention. The demerit point could impact his future if he commits further breaches within the two-year timeframe.
