ICC Punishes Babar Azam for Breaching Code of Conduct

Pakistan Cricket Team batter Babar Azam has come under the scanner of the International Cricket Council (ICC) for his antics during the third ODI against the Sri Lanka Cricket Team. The match between the two teams took place at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi on Sunday, November 16.

Babar Azam hit the stumps with his bat before leaving the crease, which led to trouble for him. This became the major talking point with On-field umpires in Alex Wharf and Rashid Riaz, third umpire Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid and fourth umpire Faisal Afridi levelling the charge.

Babar Azam Fined by ICC

During the third ODI against Sri Lanka, Babar Azam breached Article 2.2 of the ICC Code of Conduct of 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 right-hander has been fined 10 per cent of his match fee for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct. The incident happened during the 21st over of Pakistan’s innings when he was dismissed. He was unhappy with his wicket and that saw him lose control of his emotion.

The sanctions were proposed by Ali Naqvi of the Emirates ICC International Panel of Match Referees and Babar Azam accepted the charge. As a result, there was no need for a formal hearing for the former Pakistan skipper, who is also one of the best batsmen in the world.

Babar Azam Handed One Demerit Point

If Babar Azam ICC penalty wasn't enough, he has also been handed one demerit point. This was his first offence in 24 months. Notably, Level 1 charges carry a “minimum penalty of an official reprimand, a maximum penalty of 50 per cent of a player’s match fee, and one or two demerit points.”

Also, if the demerit points reach four or more in the 24 months, then a player will be handed a suspension. Babar Azam would be wary of that and would want to avoid any such actions which may land him in trouble.

Coming to the PAK vs SL ODI series, the hosts won the series by a margin of 3-0. It was a memorable series for Babar Azam as well as his long wait for a century ended in the second match of the series, where he slammed a blistering ton. With this knock, he once again stamped his authority as one of the best ODI batsmen going around.

Babar slammed his 20th ODI ton and first in 83 innings as Pakistan chased down 289 runs and also sealed the series in that game. In the last match, the right-hander managed just 34 runs but thankfully, it didn’t cost them much as Pakistan chased the target with ease.

Babar Azam will now be seen in action as Pakistan takes on Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka in the T20I tri-series. He would be keen to set the stage on fire and help his team win the series, where Pakistan will take on Zimbabwe in the opening clash om November 18.