The Pakistan National Cricket Team’s disappointing start to the ongoing two-match Test series against the West Indies has become even more embarrassing after the International Cricket Council (ICC) took disciplinary action against Mohammad Abbas and Khurram Shahzad.
Soon after suffering a crushing 90-run defeat in the first Test, Pakistani fast bowlers Abbas and Khurram landed in trouble for their poor behaviour during the match against the West Indies. Amid this, Will Abdullah Shafique or Saud Shakeel play West Indies vs Pakistan 2nd Test? Sarfaraz Ahmed answers.
ICC takes action against Pakistan’s Mohammad Abbas and Khurram Shahzad
The ICC has fined Mohammad Abbas and Khurram Shahzad for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during the first ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Test match against the West Indies. Along with the fine, both players were also handed one demerit point.
The ICC said in an official statement, “Khurram was fined 15 percent of his match fee, and Abbas was handed an official reprimand for breaching Article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to ‘using language, actions, or gestures that disparage or that could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon his/her dismissal during an international match.'”
In addition to this, one demerit point each has been added to the disciplinary records of the players, both of whom did not have any previous offenses in a 24-month period.”
Why ICC punished Khurram Shahzad and Mohammad Abbas?
Pakistan fast bowlers Khurram Shahzad and Mohammad Abbas were punished by the ICC for the way they celebrated their wickets during the first Test against the West Indies.
Khurram was found guilty after making an inappropriate gesture following the dismissal of West Indies batter Shai Hope. He went aggressively so close to Hope when he got him out in the 17th over of the West Indies’ second innings. The ICC felt the fast bowler’s celebration could have led to an angry reaction from Hope, as the latter was on his face.
Later in the match, Abbas also celebrated Jomel Warrican’s wicket in an animated fashion and ended up facing the ICC heat. The Pakistani fast bowler went so close to Warrican angrily after taking the final wicket of the innings, and that breached the
Pakistan pacers avoid hearing!
However, Khurram and Abbas both accepted their offense and agreed to the punishments given by the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees Jeff Crowe, so there is no need for a formal hearing.
The charges were filed by the on-field umpires Alex Wharf and Richard Kettleborough, along with third umpire Jayaraman Madanagopal. Amid this, Mohammad Amir questions Babar Azam’s appointment as Pakistan Test captain.
When can a player be banned?
A Level 1 offense can lead to an official warning, a fine of up to 50% of a player’s match fee, and one or two demerit points on the player’s disciplinary record.
Well, if a player gets four or more demerit points within two years, those points are turned into suspension points, and the player can be banned. Two suspension points mean the player will miss one Test match or two ODIs or two T20Is, whichever comes first. The demerit points stay on the player’s record for 24 months and are removed after that period.
