Bangladesh Captain Nigar Sultana Penalised by ICC

The Bangladesh women’s national team has faced a dual setback following their recent T20 International series against Sri Lanka. Amidst the disappointment of a series whitewash, captain Nigar Sultana Joty has been officially penalised by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for breaching the Code of Conduct during the final match of the tour.

Breach of Conduct and Disciplinary Action

The incident occurred on 2 May at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium during the third and final T20 International. According to the ICC’s official statement, Sultana was found to have violated Article 2.2 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which pertains to the “abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings during an International Match.”

The breach took place following Sultana’s dismissal during the Bangladesh innings. Expressing her dissatisfaction with the umpire’s decision, the captain reacted by hitting her bat against the ground with force before departing the field. Consequently, she has been handed an official reprimand and one demerit point has been added to her disciplinary record.

Detailed Disciplinary Summary

The charges were levelled by the officiating crew, led by on-field umpires Eloise Sheridan and Sathira Jakir Jessy. The following table outlines the specifics of the sanction:

Context and Regulatory Framework

Under the ICC’s disciplinary system, Level 1 breaches typically carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand and a maximum penalty of 50 per cent of a player’s match fee, along with one or two demerit points. This marks Sultana’s first offence within a 24-month period. Because the captain admitted to the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by Match Referee Supriya Rani Das, no formal hearing was required.

When a player reaches four or more demerit points within a 24-month period, these are converted into suspension points. Two suspension points equate to a ban from one Test, two ODIs, or two T20Is, depending on the team’s schedule.

Series Performance Overview

The disciplinary action capped off a difficult series for the hosts. Bangladesh lost the three-match T20I series 3-0. In the final match, despite playing on home soil in Sylhet, the team struggled to maintain momentum against a disciplined Sri Lankan bowling attack. The dismissal of the captain was a pivotal moment in the match, which ultimately led to the visible display of frustration that triggered the ICC’s intervention.

The charges were officially supported by third umpire Rokeya Sultana and fourth umpire Champa Chakma. This incident highlights the ICC’s ongoing commitment to maintaining “The Spirit of Cricket” and ensuring that players, particularly those in leadership positions, adhere to professional standards regarding the acceptance of umpiring decisions.