Dhaka: A two-match ban on Rangpur Riders’ Afghanistani batsman Mohammad Shahzad in the ongoing BPL T20 Cricket for breach of BCB Code of Conduct has been reduced to a one-match suspension following an appeal from the Franchisee.

Shahzad was found guilty to have violated Article 2.1.1 of the BCB Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to“conduct that is contrary to the spirit of the game” during the BPL 2016 match against Rajshahi Kings at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Mirpur on November 28.

For the reason, the player was fined 30 percent of his match fees and suspended for an ensuing match of the tournament. 

In addition to the sanction imposed for his breach of Article 2.2.1, four (04) demerit points had been added to Shahzad’s disciplinary record. * Pursuant to Article 7.5 of the Code, as Shahzad had reached four (04) demerit points in the tournament, therefore the points were converted into suspension points. 

Four demerit points equate to a ban from two (02) matches. As the suspensions run concurrently (not cumulatively), Shahzad was banned from Rangpur Riders’ next two (02) matches of BPL 2016.

Rangpur Riders lodged an appeal with the BPL Governing Council on November 30 2016 for a reduction to the playing ban. On the same date, Shahzad served the first of the two-game ban during Riders’ match against Dhaka Dynamites. 

The appeal was referred to the BPL Technical Committee which with the consent of the Governing Council and in the ‘greater interest of the tournament’, reduced Shahzad’s suspension to one (01) match on January 1 which made the player eligible for selection in Rangpur Riders’ match against Barisal Bulls on Saturday (December 3, 2016) .