The fourth T20I between Belgium and Malta witnessed unusual scenes as the result was overturned by the umpire. Malta was declared the winner by penalty runs.
Belgium after winning the toss elected to bat first. On the back of Sherul Mehta’s 40 runs off 56 balls and Khalid Ahmadi’s 31 runs off 18 balls Belgium managed to score 128 runs at the end of 20 overs. Malta’s chase was dealt with early blows as they were reduced to 7/3 in the second over. Samuel Stanislaus stabilized their batting line-up, but couldn’t do enough as Malta fell 3 short of the target. They were bowled out for 125. Scenes changed when Malta was awarded five penalty runs and was declared victorious.
European Cricket Network (ECN) reported that the Belgium team was punished under Law 42. The law says that in case of any attempt to threaten the umpire, penalty runs will be awarded to the opposition.
In the T20I, the Belgium skipper Shaheryar Butt abused and threatened the umpire during the innings break. Journalist Bertus de Jong tweeted about the incident.
Details are not entirely clear yet. It seems the game was allowed to continue as the hearing had not yet been held, and it was not yet known if penalty runs would be awarded. The final wicket fell with Malta three behind. When the penalty was confirmed game was awarded to Malta.
— Bertus de Jong (@BdJcricket) July 10, 2021
Unlikely to be anything definitive on this until this evening. Nothing is official unless and until the result is officially submitted to the ICC of course, and they've 24 hours to do that.
— Bertus de Jong (@BdJcricket) July 10, 2021
The law also states that punishment should be handed at the time of the incident and not after the match ends. However as reported by de Jong, the Belgium team was informed of the breach only after the last wicket fell. Malta was awarded 5 penalty runs and declared as winners. The series was evenly poised at 2-2 at the end of the fourth T20I. Belgium Skipper Butt did not play the final T20I which began just a few hours after the fourth game. If Butt is found guilty by the ICC’s general counsel he will be suspended for at least 12 matches, with a maximum penalty of a lifetime ban, reports Wisden.
Belgium won the final T20I and sealed the series 3-2.
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