DHAKA — Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman and India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni were fined Friday for colliding during the first One-Day International. At a hearing the players attended a day after the match, they were found guilty of breaching the ICC code of conduct by match referee Andy Pycroft, who fined Mustafizur 50 percent of his match fee, and Dhoni 75 percent. Pycroft decided the collision was “inappropriate and deliberate.” The incident happened in the 25th over, when Dhoni hit a delivery from debutant Mustafizur to mid-off and ran a single. Mustafizer moved into Dhoni's path, and Dhoni knocked over the fast bowler, who left the field for a short time. “In the hearing, Dhoni defended the charge on the basis that the bowler was on the wrong line, and realizing that he couldn't avoid the collision, he used his hand and arm to push him away as he went through to minimize the impact. “However, my assessment was that Dhoni deliberately pushed and shouldered Mustafizur, which was inappropriate. Even if there was a narrow gap between the runner (Suresh Raina) and the bowler, an experienced Dhoni should have tried to avoid the collision.” Mustafizur pleaded guilty at the hearing and accepted the fine. “Mustafizur admitted his actions in not getting out of the batsman's way were inappropriate, and he should have done more to avoid the contact,” Pycroft said. England primed to thrill once more A rejuvenated England head into Saturday's winner-takes-all fifth One-Day International against New Zealand knowing that even a defeat would do little to spoil the buzz surrounding English limited-over cricket. A pulsating ODI series is currently tied 2-2 and Chester-le-Street in Durham will play host to the decider where an England side enthused with aggressive intent will come up against this year's World Cup runner-up New Zealand. England was humiliated at the World Cup where it went out in the group stage, but, under the guidance of caretaker coach Paul Farbrace and captain Eoin Morgan, it is barely recognizable from its former cautious self. Trevor Bayliss will take charge of England ahead of the Ashes series and on current form the only notes in the Australian's coaching manual will be ‘more of the same'. England has bludgeoned its way to totals of 408, 365, 302 and 350 against a New Zealand side that have played its part in an explosive series under captain Brendon McCullum. — Agencies
