Pakistan Pacer Fined And Handed Demerit Point After On-field Altercation In Tri-series

In what was a memorable victory for Pakistan against South Africa at the National Stadium in Karachi, chasing 355 runs, a few ugly scenes took place in the first innings. The home players heated the middle with some wild celebrations and unnecessary altercations.

It started with the Proteas captain Temba Bavuma getting run out. The right-handed batter defended the good length delivery and launched for the single. But the direct throw from Kamran Ghulam sent the batter back as a few players started to celebrate on Bavuma’s face.

The South African captain had to wait a while before leaving the middle as the two on-field umpires and the other players tried to calm down the situation.

Shaheen Shah Afridi was fined 25% of his match fee.

The left-arm pacer for Pakistan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, had a terrible time in the opening clash of the tri-series against New Zealand. He started well with the prize wicket of Will Young at the start of the innings before collecting the wicket of Kane Williamson.

Also Read: WPL 2024 Champions Suffer Huge Injury Blow!! MIW To Miss This Indian Pacer

But the lanky pacer couldn’t find the right line and length in the last 10 overs. A set Glenn Phillips, who drilled unbeaten 106 runs in 74 deliveries at a strike rate of 143.24 thanks to six boundaries and seven sixes, tore the bowling apart. Afridi went for 3/88 in his 10 overs in the fixture.

However, the frustration continued for the Pakistan pacer even in the following game against the Rainbow Nation. In the 28th over of South Africa’s innings, the southpaw stepped into the path of the batter, Matthew Breetzke, as he went for a run.

“Pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi was fined 25 percent of his match fee for breaching Article 2.12 of the Code, which pertains to "inappropriate physical contact with a Player, Player Support Personnel, Umpire, Match Referee or any other person (including a spectator) during an International Match.” The ICC stated.

That was off the last ball of the over. But the fifth delivery saw the visiting number three batter defending the ball and making a gesture with the blade. Afridi reacted by walking down the pitch and saying something, to which Breetzke didn’t back down as the umpires were quick to enter the scene.

Pakistan’s substitute fielders fined 10% of match fees

Saud Shakeel and Kamran Ghulam were the two culprits who celebrated on Bavuma’s face after the run-out. The ICC has addressed it as a break of Article 2.5 of the code, which relates to using languages, actions, or gestures to provoke an aggressive reaction from the batter.

“In addition to the financial penalties, all three players have received one demerit point each on their disciplinary records. None of the players had any prior offenses in the last 24 months.” The ICC highlighted.

Three or more demerit points in the given period can ban the players from one Test match, two ODIs, or T20Is, whatever will come first in the process.

Pakistan chases the highest successful ODI total

Pakistan's poor bowling performance leaked 355 runs to South Africa in the first innings. At 91/3 in the 11th over, Pakistan hardly thought of going through a successful chase.

Also Read: India’s Impact Fielder Of The Series Rewarded To This Player After 3-0 Clean Sweep vs England

But the record 260-run stand for the fourth wicket between the two centurions, Salman Ali Agha and Mohammad Rizwan pushed them over the line to get the winning runs with six balls and as many wickets to spare.

They will meet the Mitchell Santner-led side in the final of the tri-series at the same venue on February 14.