In a recent league match of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 held in Bengaluru, Pakistan found themselves facing a fine of 10 per cent of their match fee due to a slow over-rate while playing against New Zealand. Richie Richardson, a member of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees, imposed this penalty after observing that Babar Azam’s side fell two overs short of the required over-rate target, taking time allowances into account.
According to a press release, the penalty was levied in adherence to Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which addresses minimum over-rate violations. This regulation stipulates that players face a fine of five per cent of their match fee for each over their team fails to bowl within the designated time.
Babar Azam, the captain of the Pakistan team, pleaded guilty to the over-rate offense and willingly accepted the proposed sanction. As a result, there was no necessity for a formal hearing, highlighting his team’s acknowledgment of the violation and their commitment to maintaining the integrity of the game.
The charge regarding the slow over-rate was raised by the on-field umpires, Paul Wilson and Richard Kettleborough, along with the support of third umpire Richard Illingworth and fourth umpire Joel Wilson. This collective decision emphasizes the importance of upholding the rules and spirit of the game, ensuring fairness and sportsmanship on the cricket field.
While this incident resulted in a financial penalty, it serves as a reminder of the significance of maintaining the required over-rate standards in international cricket. Both teams will likely take this as a learning experience and strive to adhere to the regulations in future matches. The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 continues to be a showcase of thrilling cricket action, and such instances contribute to the overall integrity of the tournament.
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