ICC reprimands Agha after he loses cool in controversial run-out against Bangladesh
Photo: AFP
Pakistan all-rounder Salman Ali Agha was reprimanded by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Saturday for losing his cool following his controversial run-out in the second ODI against Bangladesh.
Agha, who leads Pakistan in T20Is, received one demerit point for abuse of equipment after throwing his helmet and glove to the ground in anger following his dismissal at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium in Mirpur, Dhaka. The all-rounder repeated the act after crossing the boundary rope on his way to the dressing room.
Match referee Neeyamur Rashid found Agha guilty of a Level 1 offence, in breach of Article 2.2 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which concerns the “abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings during an International Match”. This is Agha’s first offence in 24 months.
Read: Mehidy ignites 'sportsman spirit' row after controversial run-out
According to the ICC, Agha admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by Rashid of the Emirates ICC International Panel of Match Referees, eliminating the need for a formal hearing.
The charge was levelled by on-field umpires Adrian Holdstock and Tanvir Ahmed, third umpire Kumar Dharmasena, and fourth umpire Masudur Rahman Mukul.
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.
A shameful combination of poor sportsmanship from the fielder and pathetic game awareness from the batter resulted in the demise of Salman Agha on 64(62).@aaliaaaliya @SaqibVirkPK pic.twitter.com/Yx4s0DTKEz
The incident occurred in the 39th over of Pakistan’s innings. After being run out, Agha threw his gloves and helmet to the ground in frustration when Bangladesh captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz came in his way while he was trying to ground his bat past the non-striker’s crease during a fourth-wicket partnership with Mohammad Rizwan.
Believing the ball was dead, Agha crouched to pick it up to return it, only for Miraz to snatch it and break the stumps, ending the 109-run partnership.
The dismissal immediately reignited discussions about the “spirit of cricket”, drawing comparisons with the 2023 Ashes controversy involving Australia’s Alex Carey and England’s Jonny Bairstow.
Also Read: Sadaqat’s all-round show helps Pakistan thrash Bangladesh, level series
“I think sportsman spirit has to be there,” Agha told reporters after Pakistan’s 128-run win. “What he has done is within the law. If he thinks it’s right, it’s right, but if you ask me my perspective, I would have done differently. I would have gone for sportsman spirit.”
Despite the controversy, Pakistan recovered from the setback. After the run-out, the Shaheen Shah Afridi-led visitors lost their last seven wickets for just 43 runs, finishing at 274. However, the collapse did not cost Pakistan victory.
Maaz Sadaqat, Player of the Match, top-scored with 75 and took 3/23, while Haris Rauf also took three wickets as Bangladesh were bundled out for 114 in reply.