Dhaka, March 14,2026: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Saturday officially reprimanded Pakistan all-rounder Salman Ali Agha for breaching Level 1 of its Code of Conduct during the One-Day International (ODI) against Bangladesh national cricket team.
In a statement, the ICC said Agha violated Article 2.2 of the code, which relates to the “abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings during an international match.”
One demerit point was added to Agha’s disciplinary record, marking his first offence in a 24-month period.
According to the ICC, the incident occurred during the 39th over of Pakistan’s innings when Agha, after being run out, threw his batting gloves and helmet to the ground in an inappropriate manner.
The cricketer admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by Neeyamur Rashid Rahul of the Emirates ICC International Panel of Match Referees, eliminating the need for a formal hearing.
The charge was levelled by on-field umpires Adrian Holdstock and Tanvir Ahmed, along with third umpire Kumar Dharmasena and fourth umpire Masudur Rahman Mukul.
Dramatic run-out sparks debate
The incident occurred during Pakistan’s second ODI against Bangladesh in Dhaka, where the visitors secured a 128-run victory via the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method in a rain-affected match.
Agha top-scored for Pakistan with 64 runs off 62 balls and shared a 109-run partnership with Mohammad Rizwan, who scored 44.
However, his innings ended in dramatic fashion when Bangladesh captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz ran him out at the non-striker’s end.
Short of his crease, Agha bent down to pick up the ball to return it to the bowler after Rizwan had driven it towards him. Miraz then circled behind him, collected the ball and broke the stumps.
The dismissal reignited debate about the “spirit of cricket,” drawing comparisons with the controversial stumping of Jonny Bairstow by Alex Carey during the 2023 Ashes Test at Lord’s Cricket Ground.
Speaking after the match, Agha said that while the dismissal was within the laws of cricket, Miraz could have shown greater sportsmanship.
“I think sportsman spirit has to be there,” Agha told reporters. “What he has done is in the law. If he thinks it’s right, it’s right, but if you ask me my perspective, I would have done it differently.”
Pakistan and Bangladesh will meet again in the third ODI on Sunday, with the three-match series currently level at 1-1.
