Akbar suspended for two games

Rangpur Division skipper Akbar Ali has been handed a two-match suspension for a level two offence during his side's fifth-round match of the ongoing 26th National Cricket League (NCL) against Barishal in Rajshahi last week.

Akbar was charged for showing dissent at an umpire's decision during Barishal's second innings on the final day of the contest on September 19.

"When the appeal of caught behind during over 60.4 was turned down, he showed excessive, obvious disappointment with an umpire's decision. He was unhappy and had a prolonged argument with the umpire in an inappropriate manner. After lunch, when he came to the dressing room, he kicked a few chairs and one chair was broken," match referee Akhtar Ahmad wrote in his report.

As Akbar's behaviour was deemed as a breach of Article 2.8 of the BCB Code of Conduct, he was imposed a fine of 75 percent of the match fee and a one-match suspension with four demerit points.

Four demerit points mean Akbar will be suspended from another game, in addition to the one he received for the offences.

The suspension will see Akbar miss the remainder of the ongoing NCL -- a blow for Rangpur, who are currently placed second in the points table with 21 points from five games.

The ongoing NCL has witnessed a rise in Code of Conduct breaches at an alarming rate as, according to the BCB tournament committee, the current edition has already seen a total of 19 violations after the end of the fifth round. Last year's NCL and the Bangladesh Cricket League saw 12 Code of Conduct breaches altogether.