Ashraful fined for slapping fan

Mohammad Ashraful, Bangladesh's captain, has been fined for slapping a spectator who called his recent performance against South Africa "rubbish," according to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).

Ashraful, 23, got into an altercation with two men after returning from a practice session last week.

"He appeared at a disciplinary hearing of the BCB in relation to his involvement in the incident," the board's spokesman, Rabeed Imam, said. "The board concluded that Ashraful's action was in gross violation of the BCB Code of Conduct and decided to deduct 25 percent from his retainer for the month of March 2008."

Ashraful later apologised for the incident.

His batting was woeful in the 3-0 whitewash against South Africa at home recently: he scored just 17 runs in the series.