Pakistan have been fined five per cent of their match fee for maintaining a slow over-rate during the Final of the Pakistan ODI Tri-Series against Sri Lanka in Lahore on Saturday.
The hosts were found to be one over short after time allowances were taken into consideration by Jeff Crowe of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees. The breach fell under Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which covers minimum over-rate offences. Players are fined five per cent of their match fee for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time.
On-field umpires Ahsan Raza and Wayne Knights, third umpire Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid, and fourth umpire Rashid Riaz levelled the charge. Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi pleaded guilty to the slow over-rate offence and accepted the proposed sanction.
Pakistan Chase Down Target
Despite the sanction, Pakistan had plenty to celebrate. They conceded 325/8 in the match before chasing down the target with three wickets and nine balls to spare. The result gave the team positives to build on as they look ahead to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup next year.
In front of their home fans in Lahore, Pakistan’s batting lineup delivered on all fronts, led by the experienced campaigner Fakhar Zaman. The left-handed batter scored his 12th ODI century, hitting 127 off 99 deliveries, with 11 fours and six sixes.