Three Pakistani cricketers, Shaheen Afridi, Saud Shakeel, and Kamran Ghulam, were punished by the ICC for inappropriate conduct during a match against South Africa. Afridi was fined 25% of his match fee for physical obstruction, while Shakeel and Ghulam were fined 10% for aggressive celebrations. Each received a demerit point on their disciplinary records, with all three accepting the penalties without dispute.
During a recent match in Karachi against South Africa, several Pakistani cricketers, including Shaheen Afridi, Saud Shakeel, and substitute fielder Kamran Ghulam, displayed aggressive celebrations towards South African batters, breaking the International Cricket Council (ICC) Code of Conduct. Despite Pakistan securing a thrilling win, these actions drew criticism on social media, with fans labeling them as ‘shameless.’
Pakistan successfully chased a daunting target of 353 runs, with notable contributions from Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Agha, who scored 122 and 134 runs respectively. However, the players’ conduct on the field overshadowed this accomplishment. Social media users heavily criticized Shaheen Afridi’s actions, highlighting a perceived lack of maturity despite his experience in international cricket.
The ICC responded to the players’ conduct by issuing fines; Shaheen Afridi incurred a penalty of 25% of his match fee for inappropriate physical contact with a South African batter, while Saud Shakeel and Kamran Ghulam were fined 10% each for their provocative celebrations near Temba Bavuma post his dismissal.
The incidents occurred during South Africa’s innings, specifically with Afridi obstructing batter Matthew Breetzke as he attempted a single, leading to a physical altercation. The celebrations by Shakeel and Ghulam were deemed inappropriate as they could provoke a reaction from Bavuma, further breaching the ICC’s Code under different articles.
As a result of these violations, each player received one demerit point on their disciplinary records. Fortunately, none of the players have had previous infractions in the past two years. The players accepted the sanctions without contest, thus avoiding formal hearings for these incidents.
The ICC’s discipline reflects a focus on maintaining sportsmanship and integrity in cricket. The sanctions against Shaheen Afridi, Saud Shakeel, and Kamran Ghulam serve as a reminder to players about the importance of adhering to the conduct standards expected at the international level. Both monetary penalties and demerit points emphasize that aggressive behavior, even in the heat of competition, is subject to scrutiny and consequence.
Original Source: sports.ndtv.com
