The International Cricket Council (ICC) has suspended Afghanistan wicket-keeper batsman Mohammad Shahzad from their next two matches of the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2018.

It is a big blow for the Afghanistan side considering their chances at the ICC World Cup Qualifier, where they have already lost their opening two games.

Recently, Shahzad returned to international cricket after serving a one-year ban for an anti-doping violation, and now the big-hitting wicket-keeper once again suspended by the sport’s governing body for his aggressive reaction to his dismissal during his team’s two-run defeat against Zimbabwe on Tuesday.

With his latest offence, Shahzad collects one more ICC demerit point, as the 30-year-old already had three demerit points, reaching now four points within 24 months that brings a suspension.

He also received a 15 percent fine of his match fees after he was found guilty of breaching Article 2.1.8, relating to abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings during an international match. He will miss Afghanistan’s must-win Group B matches against Hong Kong and Nepal, which will be played on 8 and 10 March in Bulawayo respectively.

Meanwhile, Shahzad accepted the charge of "abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings during an international match".

Currently, 10 teams are contesting in Zimbabwe for the remaining two slots for the next year’s ICC World Cup 2019 in England as top 8 teams have already qualified for the mega ICC event.