Shahzad handed two-match suspension for physical altercation

Rangpur Riders opener Mohammad Shahzad has been suspended for two BPL matches for making physical contact with Rajshahi Kings' Sabbir Rahman with his bat, following his dismissal in Mirpur on Monday. Shahzad was also fined 30% of his match fees. Sabbir was handed a 15% fine while Liam Dawson, Rangpur's stand-in captain, was fined 30% for showing dissent after the umpire adjudged him lbw.

The Shahzad-Sabbir incident occured in the fourth over of the chase and replays showed there was physical contact between them after which Sabbir crouched for a few minutes. Sabbir was running past Shahzad who extended his bat. The umpires spoke to Sabbir after the incident, which boiled over from the first innings after the pair was involved in a heated conversation.

"The decisions were taken after speaking to the umpires and studying TV footage. We didn't need an official hearing. Everyone accepted they were guilty," match referee Neeyamur Rashid said.

Rajshahi captain Darren Sammy said Shahzad's physical reaction was unnecessary. "We are good friends. We are going to play together in the PSL and we have always been a good mix. Whatever situation you are in the game, it's the responsibility to conduct yourself in the proper manner.

"If he did what Sabbir said he did, then it's not right. I am not a violent person, he stays in my hotel. I am going to talk to him, when he is in my field you don't behave like that."

Shahzad violated Article 2.1.1 of the BCB Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to "conduct that is contrary to the spirit of the game". Four demerit points were added to Shahzad's disciplinary record which were converted into suspension points.

Sabbir was found guilty of a Level 1 (Article 2.1.1) offence and one demerit point was added to his disciplinary record.

Dawson was found guilty of a Level 1 offense under Article 2.1.5; two demerit points were added to his disciplinary record.