Afghanistan cricketer Mohammad Shahzad was caught smoking in the middle of the Shere Bangla National Stadium on Friday while being a part of the 2022 Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). Having breached the BCB code of conduct, specifically Article 2.20 which talks about the "conduct that is contrary to the spirit of the game", he was also slapped with one demerit point for his actions.

Ahead of their match against the Comilla Victorians, Shahzad, among a group of players, was spending some pre-game time on the field before the match was called off due to rain. However, it was the cricketer’s fearless smoking inside the cricket ground that became the talking point for the night. 

Mohammad Shahzad was reprimanded for smoking on the ground in the BPL yesterday. pic.twitter.com/fZoPdnPKh5

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) February 5, 2022

Based on the press release sent out by the Bangladesh Cricket Board, Shahzad confessed to smoking in the group and did not protest the punishment that was put on his head by match referee Neeyamur Rashid. However, it was also confirmed that no formal hearing will be held in order to discuss this matter any further. 

According to multiple media reports, the Minister Group Dhaka coach Mizanur Rahman had warned Shahzad about smoking in the outfield but the Afghan cricketer refused to comply and kept up with it. Eventually, it was Tamim Iqbal who asked him to head to the dressing room once multiple people had captured pictures of him smoking in the open with their smartphones. 

Obviously
BPL = Bidi Peeyo League
He is not wrong

— Eminent Socialist (@wnnabesocial) February 5, 2022

BPL to shahzad: pic.twitter.com/MziO9MjD9c

— ＪＨΞＮＫΛＲ (@jhenkarvk) February 5, 2022

that's the secret of his so much fitness

— HP Cricket (@HPCricket2) February 5, 2022

Bada Pachtaoge League

— R A G H U V E E R (@264Cricket) February 5, 2022

Why do teams buy him? He has always been in the limelight for all the wrong reasons!!

— Ankit (@ankit_s_kedia) February 5, 2022

These guys need to learn ethics

— KD (@KDRajputBoy) February 5, 2022 

However, by the time the 34-year old was convinced to head inside, it was too late. His pictures were already spreading across social media like wildfire with more people criticising the league for the last of potent authority and fewer people calling out Shahzad’s lack of demeanour. 

Questions on his fitness levels and the respect towards the game was also raised with people asking why franchises bother investing so much money in him when he continues to make headlines for all the notorious reasons.

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One of the most common faces to be a part of the Dhaka squad, Shahzad has scored 53 and 42 runs for the team other than getting out for single-digit scores four times in the tournament thus far. Scoring seven points in seven games, his team is currently sitting at the number three spot on the points table. 

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