Bangladesh cricketers Nahida Akter and Sarmin Sultana have been handed 10 per cent match fee fines by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for separate Level 1 Code of Conduct violations during the second Women's ODI of the ICC Women's Championship series against Sri Lanka, played in Rajshahi. The sanctions were confirmed on April 25, following incidents in consecutive overs of the match. Both players admitted their offences, avoiding formal hearings.

What Each Player Was Charged With

Nahida Akter was found guilty of breaching Article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which prohibits "using language, actions or gestures which disparage or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon his/her dismissal during an International Match." Specifically, she gave a send-off to Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu after dismissing her in the 17th over, gesturing towards the pavilion — a display widely condemned in cricket's spirit-of-the-game framework.

Sarmin Sultana, meanwhile, was penalised under Article 2.8, which covers "showing dissent at an Umpire's decision during an International Match." In the 16th over of Bangladesh's innings, Sarmin visibly protested after being adjudged LBW, pointing towards her bat and deliberately delaying her departure from the crease — a textbook dissent violation.

Disciplinary Process and Match Officials Involved

The charges were brought by the on-field umpiring panel comprising Eloise Sheridan and Rokeya Sultana, supported by third umpire Dolly Rani Sarkar and fourth umpire Shathira Jakir Jesy. Match referee Supriya Rani Das of the Emirates ICC International Panel proposed the sanctions after both players accepted their respective charges, making formal hearings unnecessary.

In addition to the financial penalties, each player received one demerit point on their disciplinary record. Crucially, this is the first offence for both within a 24-month rolling period, meaning they currently face no risk of match suspension — which kicks in only when a player accumulates four or more demerit points within two years.

ICC Level 1 Offences: What the Rules Say

Under the ICC Code of Conduct, Level 1 violations carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand and can escalate to a fine of up to 50 per cent of a player's match fee, along with one or two demerit points. The fact that both players received the minimum financial sanction of 10 per cent suggests the match referee considered the incidents to be at the lower end of the severity scale, though still serious enough to warrant official action.

These incidents are part of a broader pattern the ICC has been actively cracking down on in women's cricket — particularly send-offs and dissent — as the women's game gains global visibility and commercial value. Notably, similar penalties have been imposed on players across formats in recent ICC tournaments, signalling a consistent enforcement stance.

Series Context: Sri Lanka Level It 1-1

On the field, Sri Lanka delivered a strong performance to win the second ODI and level the three-match ICC Women's Championship series at 1-1. The series decider is currently underway at the Shahid Kamruzzaman Stadium in Rajshahi, Bangladesh. The outcome of this final match will carry significant ICC Women's Championship points, which directly impact qualification pathways for the ICC Women's ODI World Cup.

Bangladesh will be eager to bounce back after the dual off-field embarrassment, while Sri Lanka — led by the formidable Chamari Athapaththu, who was at the centre of the Nahida send-off incident — will look to capitalise on their momentum. The decider promises high stakes cricket with both teams knowing exactly what is on the line.

Broader Implications for Bangladesh Women's Cricket

These sanctions, while minor in isolation, shine a spotlight on Bangladesh's on-field discipline at a critical juncture for their women's programme. The ICC Women's Championship is a high-profile qualification tournament, and behavioural lapses can affect team morale, public perception, and even sponsorship narratives around the growing women's game in South Asia. Both Nahida Akter — a key spinner — and Sarmin Sultana are senior members of the Bangladesh squad, making their conduct particularly scrutinised. Going forward, Bangladesh's team management and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) will likely reinforce discipline protocols ahead of future ICC events.