Dubai’s ICC disciplinary hammer came down on two Bangladesh cricketers after heated moments in their Women’s Championship ODI against Sri Lanka. Nahida Akter and Sarmistha Sultana each forfeited 10% of their match fees for Level 1 Code of Conduct offences.
The drama peaked in the second ODI. During Sri Lanka’s chase, Nahida, celebrating the wicket of skipper Chamari Athapaththu in the 17th over, pointed towards the pavilion in a gesture interpreted as disrespectful to the outgoing batter—breaching Article 2.5.
Earlier, in Bangladesh’s batting effort, Sarmistha’s frustration boiled over in the 16th over. Given out LBW, she gestured at her bat in disagreement and lingered at the crease, violating Article 2.8 on showing dissent to umpires’ decisions.
Field umpires Eloise Sheridan and Rokeya Sultana flagged the issues, backed by third umpire Dolly Rani Sarkar and fourth umpire Shatira Zakir Jesty. The players owned up to their mistakes before Match Referee Supriya Rani Das, accepting the 10% fines and single demerit points each—their first in two years.
ICC rules for such minor breaches allow flexibility: from warnings to half-fee deductions and demerit tallies. As women’s cricket grows fiercer, these reminders keep conduct in check. Bangladesh’s series now carries extra weight, with both sides vying for crucial championship points.
