ICC Suspends Afghanistan’s Mohammad Shahzad for Two Matches

Afghanistan cricketer, Mohammad Shahzad received a two-match suspension after his accumulated four demerit points in two years.

As a result, Shahzad will not take part in Afghanistan’s next two encounters in the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier.

However, for his latest offence, he received a 15 percent fine and one demerit point. Consequently, Shahzad will now miss Afghanistan’s next two matches against Hong Kong and Nepal.

Meanwhile, Shahzad after getting out hit his bat hard on the pitch adjacent to the match pitch, which left a significant divot on the turf.

Shahzad breached ICC’s code:

During an exciting encounter against Zimbabwe, Shahzad had breached ICC’s Article 2.1.8. Further, it relates to ‘abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings during an international match’.

Previously, he was fined 100 percent of his match fee and handed three demerit points in a T20 game against UAE in 2016. Further, this one demerit point took him to four demerit points, which, according to article 7.6 of the Code, have now converted into two suspension points.

Also, if Shahzad reaches the threshold of eight or more demerit points within a 24-month period, then he is liable for a four-match suspension. Further, he admitted his offence and accepted the sanction proposed by match referee David Jukes.

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe’s Brendan Taylor and Afghanistan’s Mujeeb Zadran also got sanctioned for different reasons. Taylor breached Article 2.1.5 while Mujeeb breached Article 2.2.8 of ICC’s Code of Conduct.

Further, Taylor received one demerit point and had to pay a fine of 15 percent of his match fee. He got three demerit points and had to pay 50 percent of his match salary.

Further, here is the newsfeed: