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A rare and ugly on-field altercation erupted during the second Emerging Test between Bangladesh and South Africa in Dhaka, overshadowing what had been a fiercely competitive series. The incident, involving Bangladesh’s Ripon Mondal and South Africa’s Tshepo Ntuli, has drawn widespread condemnation and raised questions about discipline and sportsmanship at the developmental level of international cricket.
Bangladesh and South Africa cricketers engage in physical altercation during 2nd emerging Test
The flashpoint occurred on Wednesday, shortly after Ripon struck Ntuli for a clean six. As Ripon walked toward his batting partner, he exchanged a glance with Ntuli—a momentary gesture that quickly escalated. Ntuli, visibly agitated, charged at the batter. What started as a verbal exchange soon turned physical: the two players shoved each other, and Ntuli twice grabbed and pulled at Ripon’s helmet.
Despite the immediate intervention of umpire Kamruzzaman, the scuffle continued, with other players and the second umpire eventually stepping in to separate the duo. The situation was so heated that even a few South African players appeared to join in, further intensifying the melee.
Commentators and viewers alike expressed shock, with one on-air commentator stating, “This is extreme, this is unacceptable. Normally, we see verbal altercations in a cricket field, but we don’t often see a scuffle. Ntuli struck Ripon’s helmet at one point”.
The confrontation did not end there. Just three balls later, after Ripon defended a delivery back to Ntuli, the bowler hurled the ball back at the batter, who narrowly managed to fend it off with his bat. The match officials are yet to announce any immediate sanctions, as protocol requires an official report from the on-field umpires. The match referee is preparing a detailed account to be submitted to both the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and Cricket South Africa (CSA), who are expected to take further action.
Here’s the visual:
Things got out of control between Tshepo Ntuli and Ripon Mondol during the SA Emerging vs Bangladesh Emerging match today and the umpires were forced to intervene pic.twitter.com/EhYC6KVj4u
— Werner (@Werries_) May 28, 2025
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Discipline under the microscope of emerging talents
This incident is not an isolated one in the current tour. Earlier, during the one-day leg in Rajshahi, players Andile Simelane (South Africa) and Jishan Alam (Bangladesh) were suspended for a match following another heated altercation. The series, intended as a platform for young talent to showcase their skills and temperament, has instead seen tempers flare on multiple occasions.
The stakes in these Emerging Tests are high. For many players, these matches are more than just about winning or losing—they are auditions for future international careers. As such, selectors and boards look not only for cricketing prowess but also for character and composure under pressure. Incidents like the Dhaka scuffle risk overshadowing the positive performances and could have lasting repercussions for the players involved.
As the cricketing authorities deliberate on disciplinary measures, the hope remains that the lessons from this episode will reinforce the values of respect and sportsmanship that the game stands for. With Bangladesh having already clinched the one-day series 2-1 and the first four-day match ending in a draw, the final Test was poised to be a showcase of emerging talent. Instead, it will now be remembered for one of the most contentious moments in recent developmental cricket history.
