Babar Azam Fined For ICC Code of Conduct Breach

Dubai: Pakistan’s batting star Babar Azam was fined 10 per cent of his match fee and given penalty points for hitting the stumps with his bat after he was dismissed in the third ODI against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi. The 31-year-old is under Article 2.2 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which relates to “misuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings during an International Match”. He violated the article.

Additionally, a penalty point was added to his disciplinary record, making it Babar’s first offense in 24 months.

The incident occurred in the 21st over of Pakistan’s innings in the final ODI of the series on Sunday, when Babar hit the stumps with his bat before leaving the crease following his dismissal.

While on-field umpires Alex Wharf and Rashid Riaz, third umpire Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid and fourth umpire Faisal Afridi leveled the charge, Ali Naqvi of the ICC International Match Referees Panel recommended the sanction.

“The Pakistani aggressor admitted guilt and accepted the sanction, eliminating the need for a formal hearing,” the ICC said in a statement.

Level 1 offenses carry a minimum penalty of official reprimand, a maximum penalty of 50 percent of the player’s match fee and one or two penalty points.

Pakistan went on to complete a series sweep over Sri Lanka, with Babar starring with the bat and scoring 165 runs (most in the series), including his 20th ODI ton.