Shahzad steps over the line

Minister Group Dhaka's Afghan wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Shahzad was seen smoking an electronic cigarette in the middle of the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium ahead of their Bangabandhu Bangladesh Premier League game against Comilla Victorians yesterday.

Dhaka were scheduled to play Comilla Victorians in the night game, which was eventually washed off after the day's first scheduled match between Fortune Barishal and Sylhet Sunrisers endured the same fate.

Shahzad was seen smoking while having a conversation with another Afghanistan cricketer -- Karim Janat -- of Comilla Victorians. Later, Dhaka opener Tamim Iqbal, along with head coach Mizanur Rahman, had a chat with Shahzad, probably asking him not to smoke on the field.

"Being an international cricketer, Shahzad should be aware of the etiquettes that he needs to follow during a game of cricket," BPL's technical committee convenor Raquibul Hasan told The Daily Star regarding the incident.

It was learnt that later the Afghan batsman was slapped with one demerit point and cautioned about any such incident in future.

"Smoking on the field is not acceptable and we are shocked and disappointed. We are not taking it lightly. The BPL authority is embarrassed over the incident. The BCB has also noticed it and definitely, the board will take a decision soon," said BPL member secretary Ismail Haider Mallick.