Smoking in the dressing room: Sujon penalised

Khulna Tigers head coach Khaled Mahmud Sujon was penalised for breach of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) Code of Conduct after the former Bangladesh skipper was captured smoking in the dressing room during his side's Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) game against Fortune Barishan last Friday. 

"Mahmud was fined 30 percent of his match fees for a Level 1 breach (Article 2.20; Conduct that is contrary to the spirit of the game) of the BCB Code of Conduct Players and Player Support Personnel during the Ispahani BPL T20 match against Fortune Barishal at the SBNCS, Mirpur on 10 February," read a BCB-issed press release on Monday. 

Khulna's game against Barishal on Friday was heading towards a thrilling climax with Khulna needing nine off the final over. Only one run was scored in the first ball before Khulna's Habibur Rahman Sohan was dropped in the deep in the second delivery, with the ball reaching the boundary for a four. Mahmud was seen smoking in TV footage at that point in the game. 

Habibur smashed a six in the next delivery to help Khulna end their dismal BPL campaign with only their third win of this edition. 

In addition to the fine, two demerit points were also added to Mahmud's disciplinary records.

Meanwhile, apart from Mahmud, Rangpur Riders duo Shak Mahedi Hasan and Nicholas Pooran, and Comilla Victorians' Mosaddek Hossain were also fined for breaching the BCB Code of Conduct on separate offenses.

Mahedi was found in breach (Level 1) of Article 2.2, which refers to abuse of cricket equipment, in the Eliminator on 12 February against Fortune Barishal at the SBNCS and was fined 25 percent of his match fees. One (01) demerit point was also added to his disciplinary record. Pooran meanwhile, breached the BCB's clothing regulations (Level 1, Article 2.22) in the same match and was handed a 50 percent match fee fine. Two (02) demerit points were added to his record also.   

Mosaddek was fined 25 percent of his match fees while, one (01) demerit point was added to his disciplinary record for breaching the logo guideline (Level 1, Article 2.22) in the first Qualifier against Sylhet Strikers at the SBNCS on 12 February. 

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.

All of the aforementioned players and officials admitted to the offenses and hence, there was no need for any official hearing.