BPL 2022: Mohammad Shahzad spotted smoking on the field, charged with demrit point

Veteran wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Shahzad has found himself in hot waters he was spotted smoking while waiting for the game between Minister Dhaka and Comilla Victorians to begin on Friday (February 4). In the picture, which has now gone viral, the Afghanistan international can be seen smoking a cigarette while being in the ground.

Needless to mention, the picture went viral in no time and Shahzad faced massive criticism for the same. It must be noted that two Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) 2022 games were scheduled to take place on Friday. However, both games got abandoned without a ball being bowled amid rain at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka.

At around 6.15 PM (IST), some cricketers of the Comilla and Dhaka team stepped onto the ground including Shahzad. The 35-year-old was seen standing alongside compatriots Karim Janat and Fazalhaq Farooqi. While Farooqi is Shahzad’s teammate in the Dhaka-based team, Janat plays for Comilla. It seems like the duo weren’t paying attention to Shahzad’s activities.

Afgan Batter Mohammad Shahzad Was Seen With Cigarette During Rain Break Of Today's #bplt20 Match.

Hmm, Shouldn't Do It Publicly, Gives A Bad Sight pic.twitter.com/7gBB5A62me

— বাংলার ছেলে 🇧🇩 (@iSoumikSaheb) February 4, 2022

Mohammad Shahzad smoking inside the ground is unacceptable: BCB’s Match referee

As the Dhaka dressing room came to know about Shahzad’s antics, coach Mizanur Rahman and opener Tamim Iqbal intervened and took a visibly-irritated Shahzad to the dressing room. Speaking of this incident, BCB’s chief match referee and convener of the technical committee Rokibul Hasan heavily criticized the wicketkeeper-batter, saying smoking is strictly prohibited inside the ground.

“It contradicts the code of conduct. Smoking on the ground is strictly prohibited. It’s unacceptable. If he [Shahzad] is not aware of this, the match officials should warn him,” Hasan was quoted as saying by Business Standard.

Meanwhile, Shahzad has been found guilty of breaching the Article 2.20 of the BCB Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel. This relates to ‘conduct that is contrary to the spirit of the game’. Hence, one demerit point has been added to the wicketkeeper’s disciplinary record.

On-field umpires Tanvir Ahmed and Mahfuzur Rahman alongside third umpire Gazi Sohel and fourth official Mozahid Swapam made the charge. A formal hearing didn’t take place as Shahzad admitted the offence and accepted the proposed sanction.