Bangladesh women fined 5 percent for slow over-rate

The Bangladesh women's cricket team received more bad news following their defeat against Sri Lanka, as the International Cricket Council (ICC) fined the players 5 percent of their match fee for a slow over-rate.

The ICC confirmed the matter through a press release on Tuesday, September 8. On-field umpires Vrinda Rathi and Humaira Farah, third umpire Salima Imtiaz and fourth umpire Rabab Ahsan levelled the charge against Bangladesh. Match referee GS Lakshmi imposed the sanction based on the report.

Bangladesh was penalised for breaching Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Support Personnel. Generally, players are fined 5 percent of their match fee for each over they fail to bowl within the stipulated time.

Bangladesh bowled one over short of the required time in the match against Sri Lanka. Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana Joty accepted the offence and the sanction, meaning no formal hearing was required.

In the match, Bangladesh batted first and scored 114 runs for 8 wickets in 20 overs. Chasing 115, Sri Lanka were 86 for 6 after 17 overs. However, the 18th over bowled by Ritu Moni yielded 13 runs, including a boundary and a six from Harshitha Samarawickrama.

With Sri Lanka needing 13 runs from the last two overs, Bangladesh were forced to keep an extra fielder inside the circle as a penalty for the slow over-rate. Sri Lanka eventually won by 4 wickets with four balls to spare.

This defeat has made Bangladesh's path to the semi-finals difficult. Sri Lanka have already qualified as Group B champions with 6 points. They will face Pakistan in the second semi-final on Friday.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh will face the United Arab Emirates in their final group match today at 8:30pm Bangladesh time. Both teams have 2 points each, so Bangladesh must win this match to keep their semi-final hopes alive.