Sabbir Rahman slapped with code-of-conduct fine

Bangladesh batsman Sabbir Rahman has been handed two demerit points, per a disciplinary system brought into effect by the ICC on September 22. According to it, if his demerit points rise to four in a 24-month period, he could face a suspension.

The incident took place on Sunday, when Bangladesh were bowling to Afghanistan in the first ODI in Mirpur. The press release from ICC said Sabbir had breached article 2.1.4 of the Code of Conduct which deals with "using language or a gesture that is obscene, offensive or insulting during an international Match" by arguing with umpire Sharfuddoula about an lbw decision and subsequently making "inappropriate comments." Sabbir had been upset with the umpires in the first innings as well, when he was ruled out lbw but replays seemed to indicate the ball might have missed the stumps.

The charge was brought to match referee Richie Richardson by Sharfuddoula and his colleagues C Shamsuddin and Anisur Rahman and Sabbir accepted his sanction, which also included a fine amounting to 30% of his match fees.

By the new disciplinary system, four or more demerit points within a two-year period are converted into two suspension points, at least, which would ban a player from either a Test or two ODIs or two T20Is, whichever comes first.