Nigar Sultana handed demerit point for throwing bat on ground after dismissal

Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana Joty has been handed an official reprimand for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during the third T20I against Sri Lanka Women at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Saturday, May 03. The match was reduced to a nine-overs-a-side affair due to rain affecting the start of the series finale.

Nigar was found to have breached Article 2.2 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings during an International Match.”

In addition to this, one demerit point has been added to Nigar’s disciplinary record, for whom it was the first offence in a 24-month period. If Nigar reaches four or more demerit points within a 24-month period, they are converted into suspension points, and the player will become eligible to be banned from taking part in an international match.

Moreover, a couple of suspension points will lead to a ban from either one Test match, two One-Day Internationals or two T20Is, whichever is earlier. However, the suspension points remain on a player for a period not exceeding twenty-four months. Following a lapse of the said period, the points are expunged by the ICC.

The incident occurred when Bangladesh were batting when, after being dismissed, Nigar threw her bat onto the ground before departing.

The Bangladesh skipper admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by Supriya Rani Das of the ICC International Panel of Match Referees, so there was no need for a formal hearing.

On-field umpires Eloise Sheridan and Shathira Jakir Jesy, third umpire Rokeya Sultana and fourth umpire Champa Chakma levelled the charge.

For the unversed, 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.