Minister Group Dhaka's Afghan opener Mohammad Shahzad caused a stir Friday as he was seen smoking a cigarette when Mirpur groundstaff were trying to dry the field for the evening game between Dhaka and Comilla Victorians in the Bangabandhu Bangladesh Premier League Twenty20 2022.
After Friday's afternoon match was abandoned without a ball bowled due to persistent rainfall, the Dhaka and Comilla players had some time off whilst the outfield was being dried.
Shahzad took the opportunity to light up a smoke, and the incident was duly reported to the Dhaka media manager, but upon being asked to refrain from smoking, the wicketkeeper-batter paid no heed.
Not a common sight for a player or a coach on a cricket field, Shahzad was finally brought to his senses by Dhaka coach Mizanur Rahman Babul and opening batsman Tamim Iqbal, as the duo whisked away the Afghan cricketer.
It could be seen that Shahzad was visibly irritated while he was being taken to the dressing room, and for now the right-handed batsman will be spared for his irresponsible action as Raqibul Hasan, the BPL technical committee convener, said this kind of incident doesn't fall under the tournament's Code of Conduct.
But Rakibul urged the match officials to be aware of similar incidents in future as smoking is banned on a cricket field and sets a bad precedent for the youth who look to the cricketers to set an example.
