Experts hope U-19 players learn from ICC sanctions
Three Bangladesh players and two of their Indian opponents have been charged by the International Cricket Council after unsavory scenes following the U-19 World Cup final Sunday at Senwes Park in Potchefstroom, South Africa.
Former Bangladesh cricket team captain Faruk Ahmed and veteran cricket coach Nazmul Abedin Fahim believes that the sanctioned served by the ICC on the U-19 players help them learn to not repeat the same mistake again
Three Bangladesh players and two of their Indian opponents have been charged by the International Cricket Council after unsavoury scenes following the U-19 World Cup final Sunday at Senwes Park in Potchefstroom, South Africa.
"A crime is a crime. Doesn't matter if you are young or old. It was a high-intensity match and both teams were hyped up," Faruk told The Business Standard.
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"This goes through a process so the ICC cannot give a ruling without proper evidence and reason and they have acted accordingly," Fahim said.
Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain and Rakibul Hasan, who struck the winning run, were all found guilty of a Level 3 breach of the ICC Code of Conduct for the newly-crowned champions, while Indians Akash Singh and Ravi Bishnoi were also sanctioned.
All five players have accepted the sanctions proposed by U-19 World Cup match referee Graeme Labrooy.
All charges were levelled by on-field umpires Sam Nogajski and Adrian Holdstock, third umpire Ravindra Wimalasiri as well as fourth umpire Patrick Bongni Jele.
Towhid, Shamim and Akash were all handed six demerit points, with Rakibul and Bishnoi given five for the post-match incidents.
"It might seem harsh to some, but it was necessary to do this because they are being prepared for international cricket and they need to understand that this sort of behaviour is not acceptable," Faruk added.
"Firstly, they need to learn that this cannot be done because they will miss matches. And they have to ensure that they don't miss matches due to ill-discipline. Secondly, the morals and the spirit of cricket needs to be respected and we need to make sure that the future cricketers make sure they act within the spirit of the game," Fahim explained.
All of these demerit points will remain in the five players' records for two years.
The suspension points will be applied to the forthcoming international matches the players are most likely to participate in at either senior or U-19 level.
One suspension point equals a player being ineligible for one ODI or T20I, U-19 or A team international match.
"There is no chance to appeal this but my hope is that these players learn. No matter how intense the game is, you cannot fight," Faruk concluded.
