Salman Ali Agha Penalised: ICC Disciplines Pakistan Star After Controversial "Spirit of Cricket" Row in Mirpur

Pakistan all-rounder Salman Ali Agha penalised by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during an international match in Mirpur. The incident resulted in one demerit point being added to his disciplinary record, the ICC confirmed on Saturday.

According to the ICC, Agha was found to have violated Article 2.2 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which relates to the “abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings during an International Match”. The offence took place during Pakistan’s innings in the match against Bangladesh national cricket team.

The unusual sequence unfolded in the 39th over when Bangladesh captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz delivered a flatter ball that Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan nudged back towards the pitch. The ball spun off the surface and rolled towards Agha, who was standing at the non-striker’s end.

Agha initially attempted to avoid the ball as it travelled towards him, but Miraz managed to stop it with his right foot. As the ball came to a halt, Agha bent down in an apparent attempt to hand it back to the bowler. Miraz quickly seized the moment, collected the ball and broke the stumps at the non-striker’s end, catching Agha out of his crease.

The dismissal left Salman Ali Agha run out and visibly frustrated as he began the walk back to the pavilion. The Pakistan all-rounder later expressed his anger by throwing his gloves and helmet onto the ground, an act that led to the ICC Code of Conduct breach.

Match officials took note of the incident and filed the charge after the game. The decision was made by on-field umpires Adrian Holdstock and Tanvir Ahmed, along with third umpire Kumar Dharmasena and fourth umpire Masudur Rahman Mukul.

Agha admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by the match referee, meaning no formal disciplinary hearing was required.

The ICC confirmed that this was Agha’s first offence in the past 24 months. As a result, one demerit point has been added to his record.

Under ICC regulations, Level 1 offences carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand and can also include a fine of up to 50 percent of a player’s match fee, along with one or two demerit points.