The ICC fined Pakistan’s players Shaheen Afridi, Saud Shakeel, and Kamran Ghulam for breaches of the Code of Conduct during a match against South Africa. Shaheen was fined 25%, while Saud and Kamran received a 10% fine. All players accepted the penalties, which included demerit points. This incident followed Pakistan’s significant win in the tri-nation series, advancing them to the final.
Pakistan’s Shaheen Shah Afridi, Saud Shakeel, and Kamran Ghulam have been fined by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for violating the Code of Conduct during a tri-nation series match against South Africa held in Karachi. Shaheen was penalized 25% of his match fee for inappropriate contact under Article 2.12 after a heated exchange with South African batter Matthew Breetzke during the match’s 28th over.
The altercation erupted when Breetzke almost collided with Afridi while running between the wickets. Following the incident, Breetzke and Afridi confronted each other, prompting intervention from umpires and teammates to defuse the situation. Both players had words at the non-striker’s end, escalating the confrontation.
Saud Shakeel and substitute fielder Kamran Ghulam faced a 10% fine each for their actions following Temba Bavuma’s run-out in the 29th over, which violated Article 2.5 regarding gestures or language that could provoke aggression. All three players received one demerit point on their records, as they had no previous offenses in the last 24 months.
The players acknowledged their infractions and accepted the sanctions from match referee David Boon, thus avoiding formal hearings. The charges were brought forth by the on-field umpires, including Asif Yaqoob and Michael Gough.
According to ICC guidelines, Level 1 breaches result in penalties that range from official reprimands to fines up to 50% of a player’s match fee and demerit points. In a post-match interview, Shaheen stated he intended to tease Breetzke to gain a competitive advantage but insisted it remained within the realm of the game.
After the match, Shaheen and Breetzke reconciled and shook hands, demonstrating the incident did not escalate beyond the field. Pakistan’s victory allowed them to advance to the final against New Zealand on February 14, thanks to outstanding performances from their players, including centuries by Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha. The hosts had achieved a historical triumph by chasing down 352 runs against South Africa, a record total in the series.
Shaheen Shah Afridi, Saud Shakeel, and Kamran Ghulam have faced fines from the ICC due to breaches of the Code of Conduct during a match against South Africa. The incidents involved inappropriate physical contact and provoking actions, resulting in financial penalties and demerit points. The players accepted the sanctions and moved on positively after the match, contributing to Pakistan’s remarkable victory and journey to the final of the tri-nation series.
Original Source: www.thenews.com.pk
