Agha reprimanded for abusing equipment during second ODI

Pakistan batter Salman Ali Agha has received a reprimand and a demerit point for abusing cricket equipment during the second ODI against Bangladesh at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Friday.

The incident occurred during the 39th over of Pakistan’s innings when Agha was given run out by the third umpire Kumar Dharmasena off Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s bowling.

The dramatic moment unfolded when Mohammad Rizwan pushed Miraz’s flatter delivery towards the bowler’s right. Miraz moved across and stopped the ball with his boot while Agha stood directly in his path.

As the ball trickled to a halt near their feet, Agha, who was out of his crease, bent down to pick it up to return it to Miraz. But the Bangladesh captain reacted quickly, grabbed the ball and underarmed it onto the stumps, catching Agha short of his ground.

On-field umpire Tanvir Ahmed referred the decision to the third umpire, who confirmed that the ball was still in play and Miraz’s action was legitimate.

Agha, however, appeared unhappy with the decision and exchanged heated words with wicketkeeper Litton Das while walking back to the dressing room after scoring 64 off 62 balls.

Before leaving the crease, he was also seen throwing away his gloves, prompting match referee Neeyamur Rashid to charge him for abusing cricket equipment.

"The specific incident involved abusing cricket equipment on the ground while leaving the field. Regarding Salman Agha, he has no previous history of such behaviour. We have to maintain neutrality when we judge. Consequently, we have issued a reprimand and a demerit point,” Neeyamur told The Daily Star on Saturday, adding that there would be no charge regarding the heated exchange as he believed it was a miscommunication and confirmed that he had already submitted the report to the ICC.

“We also considered the law, our training and playing conditions. We discussed the matter with the ICC before making the final decision. From a neutrality standpoint, we delivered the judgement,” he added.

This was a level 1 offence, and a breach of 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.”

Pakistan won the match by 128 runs via the DLS method to keep the series alive. The series-deciding third and final ODI will take place at the same venue on Sunday.