'Perhaps punishment was necessary’

Former Bangladesh captain Khaled Mahmud, who will act as head coach of the Bangladesh national team for the upcoming tri-nation ODI series and the Tests and T20 series against Sri Lanka has said that the punishments doled out to Tamim Iqbal and Sabbir Rahman were necessary.

Sabbir was slapped with a heavy fine of Tk 20 lakh by BCB and banned from domestic cricket for six months. He will also not be included in the central contract pool as punishment for assaulting a young fan during a National Cricket League game in Rajshahi last month.

Cricketer Tamim was handed a Tk 5 lakh fine following the batsman's criticism of the Mirpur pitch and his comments over the outfield after the BPL match between Comilla Victorians and Rangpur Riders.

Mahmud, who oversaw the Tigers' training session for the first time today however did not reveal whether the fines were too lenient or too strict but reiterated that there is a price to be paid for stepping out of line.

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Regarding Sabbir's punishment, The Technical director said: "The match referee's report gained prominence in relation to Sabbir's situation. Whatever the punishment is, you have to remember that when you commit a crime of big magnitude, then you have to accept your punishment.

"Sabbir is a role model for many youngsters in the country. Sabbir should keep that in mind."

He also put forward the notion that a player of Tamim's stature should not talk in a manner which will tarnish the image of Bangladesh's cricket; especially in light of the two demerit points accumulated after Bangladesh's home series against Australia.

He suggested that the venue could be closed down by the ICC if there are complaints from people involved with the country's cricket.

"Perhaps the punishments were necessary and that is why they were doled out."