During the third game of the ODI tri-series between South Africa and Pakistan which was being played at Karachi's National Stadium on Wednesday, Shaheen Afridi, Saud Shakeel, and Kamran Ghulam were made to pay the price for violating several Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct. Hours after Pakistan achieved their most successful ODI chase ever, chasing down a target of 353 in 49 overs to guarantee their spot in the final, the ICC punished the three players for their respective offences.
ICC fines Pakistan stars
Shaheen's physical altercation with South Africa batter Matthew Breetzke resulted in a fine equal to 25% of his match fee. When Breetzke was running down the non-striker end for a single in the 28th over of the South African innings, Shaheen got in his way, intensifying the heated dispute. A heated spat broke out between the two as the Protea batter nearly fell. Before Shaheen and Breetzke had to be split up, things became heated and appeared to be taking a negative turn.
"Pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi was fined 25 per cent 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 in their release
However, things did not stop there as after South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma got out, Shakeel and Ghulam burst into an unnecessary celebration that could have instigated to another heated altercation. Running out at the striker's end, before Shakeel and Ghulam halted Bavuma who was heading back to the dugout. They both stood up to Bavuma's face and celebrated in an animated manner. 10 per cent of Shakeel and Ghulam's match money was penalized.
"Both players were found guilty of breaching Article 2.5 of the Code, which relates to 'using language, actions or gestures which disparage or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon his/her dismissal during an International Match,'" the release added.
Apart from all the fines, all three of the Pakistan players have also received one demerit point each. All three of them Shaheen, Shakeel and Ghulam have accepted the sanctions.