Babar Azam punished by ICC, fined 10% of match-fees for smashing stumps with his bat during PAK vs SL ODI series

Babar Azam slammed his 20th ODI century in the second PAK vs SL ODI.

On Sunday, November 18, during the third and final One-Day International (ODI) against Sri Lanka at the Rawalpindi Cricket Ground, former Pakistan captain Babar Azam violated the ICC Code of Conduct. After being dismissed in the just-finished series, Babar was fined 10% of his match fee for smashing the stumps.

After winning the last match by six wickets, Pakistan, under the leadership of Shaheen Afridi, completely destroyed Sri Lanka. Babar chased a target of 212 while scoring 34 runs off 52 balls, including four boundaries. With 165 runs at an average of 82.50 and a strike rate of 74.32, he ended the ODI series as the joint-top run scorer.

Babar Azam had also ended his drought for an international century after 83 innings and more than 800 days.

Babar Azam admits to breaching the ICC code of conduct

After being found guilty of violating Article 2.2 during the third ODI against Sri Lanka, Babar Azam was fined ten percent of his match fee. Babar was punished for smashing the stumps out of irritation after being dismissed, according to an official ICC statement.

It was Babar Azam’s first offense in a 24-month span, and he received an additional demerit point on his disciplinary record. After getting dismissed, he smashed the stumps with his bat in despair during the 21st over of Pakistan’s innings.

“Pakistan’s batting stalwart Babar Azam has been fined 10 percent of his match fee for a Level 1 ICC Code of Conduct breach. The 31-year-old has been found to have breached Article 2.2 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment, or fixtures and fittings during an international match,” the ICC statement read.

Match referee Ali Naqvi suggested the punishment after match officials Alex Wharf, Rashid Riaz, Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid, and Faisal Afridi reported the infraction. There was no need for a formal hearing because Babar consented to the sentence and accepted the accusation.

“On-field umpires Alex Wharf and Rashid Riaz, third umpire Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid, and fourth umpire Faisal Afridi leveled the charge, while Ali Naqvi of the Emirates ICC International Panel of Match Referees proposed the sanction. The Pakistan batter admitted to the offense and accepted the sanction, negating the need for a formal hearing,” the statement read.

Pakistan will next be seen in action when they feature in a T20I tri-series involving Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka. The opening match between Pakistan and Zimbabwe will take place on Tuesday, November 18, at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

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