Beximco Dhaka captain Mushfiqur Rahim has been fined 25 per cent of the match after ‘almost hitting” his younger teammate Nasum Ahmed in a Bangabandhu T20 Cup encounter against Fortune Barishal on Monday. The former Bangladesh skipper faced heavy criticism after the video of the incident went viral on social media. In the video, Rahim was seen almost hitting Nasum with the ball, after grabbing a catch which was unintentionally interrupted by the latter.
According to the press release, Mushfiqur has been found guilty of showing insulting gesture towards Nasum Ahmed during the match, which constitutes to a Level 1 (2.6) offense.
In addition to the sanction imposed, one demerit point has been added to Mushfiqur’s disciplinary record. Notably, four or more demerit points in the tournament, will lead to Rahim’s suspension and he will be banned. Four demerit points equate to a ban from one match.
The breach was reported by on-field umpires Gazi Sohel and Mahfuzur Rahman, 3rd Umpire Masudul Rahman Mukul and 4th Umpire Muzahiduzzaman Swapon and the penalty was imposed by Match Referee ASM Roquibul Hassan.
Mushfiqur accepted the sanction and as such no official hearing was required.
Earlier today, the 33-year-old issued a public apology on social media, saying that he seeks forgiveness from the almighty for his unacceptable gesture towards Nasum Ahmed.
“Assalamualaikum to all, First of all officially I would like to apologize to all my fans and spectators regarding the incident that happened yesterday during the match,” Mushfiqur Rahim wrote in the apology post.
The incident took place on the final ball of the 17th over when Fortune Barishal were involved in a tight chase.
Barishal needed 45 runs off 19 balls with five wickets in hand and Afif Hossain was looking good. Hossain tried to sneak a boundary off the last ball of the over but ended up lofting it high in the sky. Both Mushfiq, the wicket-keeper, and Nasum, the bowler, chased the ball and the former reached there before colliding with each other.
