A moment of tension marred the second day of the second four-day unofficial Test between Bangladesh High Performance (HP) and South Africa Emerging as Proteas pacer Shepho Innocent Ntuli became involved in a heated on-field altercation with Bangladesh’s Ripon Mondol.
The incident unfolded in the 104th over of the Bangladesh HP innings at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur. Ripon, who had just launched Ntuli for a six off the first ball of the over, was confronted immediately by the bowler. Ntuli advanced aggressively towards Ripon and shoved him, igniting a brief but fiery scuffle.
Although Ripon attempted to defuse the situation by stepping away and gesturing for distance, Ntuli escalated the confrontation by grabbing Ripon’s helmet and pulling at it in an apparent act of intimidation. Ripon again tried to push him away. Eventually, umpires and fielders intervened to prevent the situation from spiralling further.
While the match does not carry official first-class status, the physical nature of the altercation has drawn widespread attention from fans and officials alike. Speaking on condition of anonymity, a Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) official confirmed that discussions with Cricket South Africa and the match referees are underway regarding possible sanctions. “Just because it’s not a first-class match doesn’t mean the behaviour can be excused. The Code of Conduct is still in force, and Ntuli could face a serious penalty for breaching it,” said the source.
Ntuli under the scanner
According to match observers, Ntuli’s behaviour was “well beyond the boundaries of acceptable conduct,” and BCB has already expressed concerns to the visiting camp. Given that the series has reached its final match, clarity over any disciplinary actions may come post-match, but the footage of the incident has already gone viral across social platforms, placing added pressure on officials to act decisively.
Bangladesh post strong total
Aside from the unsavoury episode, Bangladesh HP’s performance with the bat was commendable. The team posted 371 all out, establishing a solid platform. Ripon Mondol, despite being at the centre of the controversy, contributed an important 43 off 81 deliveries before ironically falling to Ntuli — stumped while attempting an aggressive stroke.
Earlier in the innings, a handful of HP batters made valuable contributions to build a respectable total against a probing South African bowling unit. However, Ntuli’s temper in the latter stages has somewhat overshadowed the cricketing contest.
A pattern of aggression?
While there is no known prior record of misconduct involving Ntuli at international or developmental level, this incident is likely to prompt Cricket South Africa’s internal review as well. With international cricket placing increasing emphasis on player behaviour and mental composure, such events, even in unofficial settings, are scrutinised with the same rigour as full-fledged fixtures.
The outcome of any disciplinary hearing will be closely watched, especially given the symbolic importance of such exchanges in youth-level bilateral ties. It also raises broader questions about sportsmanship and temperament in developmental cricket environments, where players are meant to build international readiness, not tarnish reputations.
For now, the cricket continues in Mirpur, but the memory of Ntuli’s helmet grab may linger long after the final ball is bowled.