(Image Source: ICC)
[Saba Sports News] Bangladeshi U19 cricketer Maruf Mridha has been reprimanded for violating Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during an ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup match against India in Bloemfontein. Mridha breached Article 2.5, which pertains to “using language, actions or gestures that could offend or provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon dismissal in an International Match.”
As a consequence, one demerit point has been added to Mridha’s record, marking his first offence within a 24-month period. The specific incident involved Mridha gesturing aggressively towards the changing room after dismissing a batter, effectively giving the batter a send-off, during the 44th over of India’s innings.
Mridha acknowledged the breach and accepted the sanction proposed by Shaid Wadvalla from the Emirates International Panel of ICC Match Referees. This acceptance eliminated the need for a formal hearing. The charge was brought by on-field umpires Donovan Koch and Nigel Duguid, third umpire Allahudien Paleker, and fourth umpire Langton Rusere. Penalties for Level 1 breaches can range from an official reprimand to a maximum fine of 50% of a player’s match fee, along with one or two demerit points.