Afghan cricketer Shahzad's controversial smoking in ground

Dhaka, Feb 04 - The Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium (SBNCS) saw an unprecedented scenario today as the Minister Group Dhaka's Afghanistan recruit Mohammad Shahzad puffed an electric cigarette in the ground.

   After the match between Sylhet Sunrisers and Fortune Barisal was washed out, the match between Minister Group Dhaka and Comilla Victorians is also looked to be canceled as there was no stopping of light drizzle. When the rain stopped for some time, the players from Dhaka and Comilla went down to see the field.

   There was a reunion of three Afghan cricketers. Karim Janat has come to play for Comilla. Mohammad Shahzad and Fazal Haque Farooqi are playing in Dhaka. The Afghan trio is seen chatting near the dressing room. But Mohammad Shahzad sparked a controversy there.

   He smoked an electric cigarette from his jacket pocket. He has been seen doing this more than once. It was seen that the smoke rises up.

   The media manager of Dhaka was seen to try to stop Shahzad, but he could not be stopped. Later, Dhaka manager Mizanur Rahman Babul and senior cricketer Tamim were seen to convince him to stop smoking.
Shahzad looked angry by the intervention and entered into the dressing room.

   Such incidents on the field are against the code of conduct,
concerned authority said.

  "It is out of the code of conduct," BCB chief match referee and BPL technical committee convener Roqibul Hasan said.

   "Smoking on the playground is strictly prohibited. It is not
acceptable in any way. Match officials should warn him if he (Shahzad) is not aware about it. So that no one does that in the future and be careful." - Agency