Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza unrepentant over spat with England skipper Jos Buttler ahead of one-day series decider
Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza has fanned the flames ahead of Wednesday’s series-deciding one-day international with England by refusing to apologise for his players’ provocative conduct.
Mashrafe and batsman Sabbir Rahman were both fined 20 per cent of their match fees for goading England skipper Jos Buttler after he was dismissed in Sunday’s second match in Dhaka, which the hosts won by 34 runs.
The incident prompted an angry reaction from Buttler, who incurred an official warning, and there was a further altercation between opener Tamim Iqbal and all-rounder Ben Stokes in the post-match handshake.
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Mashrafe remains unrepentant, however, as the hosts look to extend their winning run to seven home one-day series in the final 50-over clash with England in Chittagong.
“Actually we didn’t do anything wrong so we shouldn’t apologise,” he said. “We just celebrated what we felt. We don’t have to say sorry for that. Whatever happened, the match referee was there. Our team is completely normal and I am 100 per cent sure that my team is not thinking about this.”
Mashrafe and Sabbir on Monday accepted charges of “using language or actions which disparage or could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batsman upon his dismissal” after Buttler was given lbw after a review.
Buttler, who is leading England in the absence of regular one-day captain Eoin Morgan, top-scored with 57 in Dhaka but was unable to prevent Bangladesh from levelling the series.
The Lancashire wicketkeeper-batsman called Mashrafe and Sabbir’s behaviour “disappointing” and escaped a fine but received a reprimand for swearing as he was led off the field.
Former England skipper Michael Vaughan exonerated Buttler, saying: “I don’t think he did anything wrong. When the opposition comes at you what are you to do?”
England coach Trevor Bayliss has insisted the flashpoint will not have a major bearing on the final match but has warned Buttler that he must learn to control his emotions.
Bayliss said: “He got a slap on the wrist and I am sure he will be doing his best to stay out of trouble in the future.”