ICC Sanctions Home Side After Being Found Four Overs Short of Required Target
Dubai, UAE:The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Thursday officially reprimanded and fined the Pakistan men’s cricket team 20 percent of their match fees for maintaining a slow over-rate during the first One-Day International (ODI) against Sri Lanka. The match, which Pakistan won by a narrow margin, was played at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
The sanction was imposed by Ali Naqvi of the ICC Panel of Match Referees after a review determined that the home side was four overs short of the required target after all time allowances were taken into consideration.
In accordance with Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which governs minimum over-rate offenses, players are fined five percent of their match fee for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time. The four-over deficit thus translated to a 20% fine for the entire squad.
Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi accepted the charge, which was leveled by on-field umpires Alex Wharf and Asif Yaqoob, third umpire Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid, and fourth umpire Rashid Riaz. The captain’s admission negated the need for a formal hearing.
Despite the off-field sanction, Pakistan secured a tense six-run victory to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Batting first, Pakistan posted a formidable total of 299/5. The innings was anchored by all-rounder Salman Ali Agha, who remained the top-scorer with an unbeaten century (105 off 87 deliveries), supported by Hussain Talat’s brisk half-century (62 off 63 balls).
In response, Sri Lanka were restricted to 293/9 in their 50 overs, falling just short of the 300-run target despite a valiant half-century from Wanindu Hasaranga (59 off 52 balls). Pakistan’s victory was cemented by fast bowler Haris Rauf, who claimed a decisive four-wicket haul.
