Pakistan Cricket Team may still be alive in the Cricket World Cup semifinal race but their trouble doesn’t end there. Babar Azam & Co are to pay fine equivalent to 10% of their match fee for maintaining slow over rate during PAK vs NZ game in Bengaluru on Saturday.
Pakistan Cricket Team beat New Zealand on the DLS method. But it was Fakhar Zaman who outshone everyone with an unbeaten knock of 126. Babar Azam also played a crucial role, scoring 66 not out after Kiwis posted a huge 400/6 total batting first. Rachin Ravindra scored a brilliant century while Kane Williamson returned from injury to score 95.
Pakistan Cricket Team fined
However, as Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson unleashed a flurry of boundaries, smashing Haris Rauf and Shaheen Afridi for runs aplenty, they fell two overs short of their target. New Zealand hit 46 boundaries and 8 sixes in their innings.
Match referee Richie Richardson imposed the sanction. They found Babar Azam & Co failed to keep up with the clock after time allowances were considered. Pakistan also gave away 17 wides and a no-ball.
As per Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct, all players will pay a fine of 5% of their match fee. As Pakistan Cricket Team bowled two overs short, they will pay 10% of their match fee.
Babar pleaded guilty to the offence and accepted the proposed sanction, so there was no need for a formal hearing.
On-field umpires Paul Wilson and Richard Kettleborough, third umpire Richard Illingworth and fourth umpire Joel Wilson leveled the charge.