ICC Cricket World Cup 2023: Afghanistan opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz reprimanded by ICC

Rahmanullah Gurbaz has been reprimanded by ICC after England clash.

Afghanistan have won its historic second-ever World Cup in the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. Afghanistan, with a spirited performance at Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium in Delhi, thrashed England by 69 runs in the league round. This was their only second win in the mega event. Afghanistan opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz played a magnificent half-century knock against English bowlers and helped his team reach a challenging total.

Despite a marvellous match-winning knock, Afghanistan wicket-keeper Rahmanullah Gurbaz has been reprimanded by the ICC due to inappropriate behaviour during the game. One demerit point has also been added to Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s disciplinary record. ICC took the action against the wicket-keeper as he reacted furiously after getting run-out in the 19th over of Afghan innings.

Why action against Rahmanullah Gurbaz?

Rahmanullah Gurbaz slammed his bat on the boundary rope and into a chair that was placed on his way, to vent out his disappointment after a poor mix-up between him and Afghan skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi in the 19th over. Rahmanullah had added 114 runs along with Ibrahim Zadran for the opening wicket, and then his wicket was the third one that fell within 3 overs. Rahmanullah Gurbaz looked disappointed after losing his wicket in a poor mix-up.

ICC match referee Jeff Crow sanctioned the action proposed on offence, and wicket-keeper Rahmanullah Gurbaz has accepted these actions. It is his first offence in the last 24 months, and he has been given only one demerit point in his disciplinary records. When a player gets four demerit points within 24 months, the action converts into suspension points and a match ban. Gurbaz was found in violation of Article 2.2 of the ICC Code of Conduct.

Afghanistan won their first-ever World Cup game against Scotland in the 2015 World Cup, where they won the game by just one wicket. In Delhi, they had one of the most comfortable wins they could get against the defending champions. England failed to chase down 285 runs in Delhi, and they looked extremely poor against Afghanistan spinners. Mujeeb Zadran (3 wickets), Rashid Khan (3 wickets), and Mohammad Nabi (2 wickets) had a wonderful game.