Key Takeaways
- Mohammad Abbas and Khurram Shahzad were penalized by the ICC.
- Shahzad was fined 15 percent of his match fee, while Abbas received an official reprimand.
- Both players admitted to breaching Article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has imposed penalties on two Pakistani fast bowlers, Mohammad Abbas and Khurram Shahzad, for breaching its Code of Conduct during a Test match against the West Indies.
Shahzad was fined 15 percent of his match fee after celebrating aggressively close to Shai Hope following his dismissal in the 17th over of the West Indies innings. The ICC stated that such actions could provoke an aggressive response from batters, making it a breach of Article 2.5.
Abbas received an official reprimand for an animated celebration after dismissing Jomel Warrican as the final wicket in the second innings. This action also violated Article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which covers language, actions, or gestures that disparage a batter or could provoke aggressive reactions.
Both players admitted to the offenses and accepted the sanctions proposed by Jeff Crowe from the ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees, avoiding the need for a formal hearing. The charges were brought by on-field umpires Alex Wharf and Richard Kettleborough, along with third umpire Jayaraman Madanagopal.
Under ICC rules, a Level 1 breach carries a minimum sanction of an official reprimand and a maximum fine of 50 percent of a player’s match fee. It may also result in one or two demerit points. Neither Abbas nor Shahzad had committed any offenses during the previous 24 months.
The incident highlights the strict enforcement of cricket's code of conduct, ensuring fair play and maintaining discipline among players. The penalties serve as a reminder to all participants about the importance of adhering to the rules and respecting their opponents on the field.
