Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana reprimanded for bat-throwing breach of ICC conduct code
Synopsis
Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana's moment of frustration after dismissal cost her dearly—an ICC reprimand and a demerit point for throwing her bat during the third T20I against Sri Lanka in Sylhet. While her first offence within 24 months, it serves as a stark reminder that even captains are not exempt from conduct codes. The incident also coincided with Sri Lanka's dominant 3-0 series sweep.
Key Takeaways
Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana Joty received an official reprimand from the ICC for breaching Level 1 of the Code of Conduct.
The breach occurred during the third women's T20I against Sri Lanka in Sylhet on Saturday when Nigar threw her bat after dismissal.
Violation: Article 2.2 — abuse of cricket equipment during an international match.
One demerit point added to Nigar's disciplinary record; this is her first offence in 24 months .
Sri Lanka swept the series 3-0 , with captain Chamari Athapaththu scoring 41 and taking 2-15 in the final match.
Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana Joty has been handed an official reprimand by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during the third women's T20I against Sri Lanka in Sylhet on Saturday. The incident, which saw Nigar throw her bat to the ground after dismissal, violated Article 2.2, relating to abuse of cricket equipment during international matches.
What triggered the breach
During the Bangladesh innings, Nigar was visibly frustrated after being dismissed and threw her bat onto the ground before leaving the field. The breach was reported by on-field umpires Eloise Sheridan and Shathira Jakir Jesy, along with third umpire Rokeya Sultana and fourth umpire Champa Chakma.
Sanction details
In addition to the formal reprimand, one demerit point has been added to Nigar's disciplinary record. This marks her first offence within a 24-month period. The Bangladesh skipper admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by Supriya Rani Das of the Emirates ICC International Panel of Match Referees, negating the need for a formal hearing, the ICC stated on Monday.
How demerit points work
Under ICC regulations, demerit points remain on a player's record for 24 months from the date of imposition. If a player accumulates four or more demerit points within that period, they are converted into suspension points, leading to a ban. Two suspension points equate to a ban from one Test, two ODIs, or two T20Is, depending on the player's schedule. Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand and a maximum of 50 per cent of a player's match fee, along with one or two demerit points.
Sri Lanka's series dominance
Sri Lanka completed a clinical 3-0 series sweep of Bangladesh after clinching the rain-shortened third T20I by three runs. Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu spearheaded the victory with a stellar all-round performance, top-scoring with 41 runs before returning to claim 2-15 with the ball.
Point of View
But the ICC's consistent enforcement signals that emotional outbursts, regardless of rank, carry consequences. For Bangladesh women's cricket, the timing is awkward: losing a 3-0 series to Sri Lanka is painful enough without the captain also facing disciplinary action. The demerit-point system, however, offers a safety valve—one point is a warning; four within 24 months triggers a ban. Nigar has room, but the message is clear.
NationPress
10 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana reprimanded?
Nigar was reprimanded for breaching Article 2.2 of the ICC Code of Conduct—abuse of cricket equipment—when she threw her bat to the ground after being dismissed during the third women's T20I against Sri Lanka in Sylhet on Saturday. She admitted the offence and accepted the sanction.
What penalty did Nigar receive?
Nigar received an official reprimand and one demerit point added to her disciplinary record. Level 1 breaches can carry fines of up to 50 per cent of match fee, along with one or two demerit points. In her case, only the reprimand and one point were imposed.
How do demerit points work under ICC rules?
Demerit points remain on a player's record for 24 months from the date of imposition. If a player accumulates four or more demerit points within that period, they convert into suspension points, leading to a ban. Two suspension points equal a ban from one Test, two ODIs, or two T20Is.
Is this Nigar's first offence?
Yes, this is Nigar's first offence within a 24-month period, so she has accumulated only one demerit point so far. She would need to reach four points to face a playing ban.
What was the result of the third T20I between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka?
Sri Lanka won the rain-shortened third T20I by three runs, completing a 3-0 series sweep of Bangladesh. Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu top-scored with 41 runs and took 2-15 with the ball in the match.
