CAPE TOWN: Pakistan cricket team has been fined 25% of their match fee and docked five ICC World Test Championship points for maintaining a slow over-rate during the second Test against South Africa at Cape Town’s Newlands Stadium.
The penalty was imposed by Richie Richardson of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees after Pakistan were found to be five overs short of the required rate, even after accounting for time allowances.
The International Cricket Council (ICC), in a statement, clarified the penalties under its regulations. According to Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, teams are fined 5% of their match fee for each over they fall short.
Moreover, under Article 16.11.2 of the ICC World Test Championship playing conditions, teams lose one Championship point for every over not bowled within the allocated time.
As a result, Pakistan has been penalised five points and fined 25% of their match fees. Pakistan captain Shan Masood accepted the penalty and pleaded guilty to the charge, eliminating the need for a formal hearing.
The charge was levelled by on-field umpires Kumar Dharmasena and Nitin Menon, third umpire Alex Wharf, and fourth umpire Stephen Harris.
South Africa whitewash Pakistan
A day earlier, South Africa secured a commanding 10-wicket victory to complete a 2-0 whitewash over Pakistan in the two-match Test series. The Proteas easily chased a modest target of 58 runs to win the final Test inside four days.
South Africa’s massive first-innings total of 615 had put them in complete control after bowling out Pakistan for 194 in their first innings.
Despite follow on, Pakistan showed resilience, scoring 478 in their second innings, led by Shan Masood’s impressive 145.
However, the efforts were not enough to prevent defeat, as South Africa’s bowlers, led by spinner Keshav Maharaj and pacers Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada, dominated the game.
The series was a tale of contrasts, with South Africa narrowly escaping defeat in the first Test at Pretoria by two wickets, chasing a low 148 on a tricky surface, before a more comprehensive win in Cape Town.
The hosts have now won seven consecutive Tests, their second-longest streak in history, following a nine-match winning run between 2002 and 2003. This series win serves as an ideal preparation for South Africa’s World Test Championship final against Australia, scheduled at Lord’s from June 11-15.
