In the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, Pakistan faced penalties for their sluggish over-rate during a league match against New Zealand in Bengaluru. The International Cricket Council (ICC) took action against the team, fining them 10% of their match fee.
The decision was handed down by Richie Richardson, a member of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees. This penalty was imposed due to Pakistan falling short of the required over-rate by two overs, even after accounting for time allowances.
The ruling was made in accordance with Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, specifically addressing minimum over-rate violations. According to this article, players are subject to a fine amounting to 5% of their match fee for each over their team fails to bowl within the allocated time.
As a result, Babar Azam’s Pakistan side found themselves facing the financial consequences of their slow over-rate performance. It’s worth noting that Babar Azam, the captain of the Pakistan cricket team, admitted to the over-rate offense and willingly accepted the proposed sanction.
This admission and cooperation spared the team from undergoing a formal hearing to address the matter. Babar Azam’s responsible approach in acknowledging the violation likely contributed to the swift resolution of this issue.
The over-rate violation came to light thanks to the vigilance of the on-field umpires for the match, Paul Wilson and Richard Kettleborough. They were supported by the third umpire, Richard Illingworth, and the fourth umpire, Joel Wilson, who collectively levied the charge against Pakistan.
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining a consistent and efficient over-rate in international cricket matches. The regulations regarding over-rates are in place to ensure that matches progress at a reasonable pace, providing an equitable experience for both teams and spectators.
Pakistan’s fine underscores the significance of adhering to these regulations and the potential consequences for failing to do so. In summary, Pakistan faced a 10% fine of their match fee for their slow over-rate in the 2023 ODI World Cup match against New Zealand in Bengaluru.
The team’s captain, Babar Azam, admitted to the offense, leading to a quick resolution without the need for a formal hearing. The umpires diligently enforced the over-rate regulations, highlighting the importance of maintaining an appropriate over-rate in international cricket.
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