Pakistan batter Babar Azam has been punished by the International Cricket Council for breaching Code of Conduct during the third and last ODI of the series against Sri Lanka. He has been fined 10 per cent of his match fee in addition to a demerit point for Level 1 offence.
“The 31-year-old has been found to have breached Article 2.2 of the ICC Code of Conduct for 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 ICC said in a statement on November 18.
The incident took place in the 21st over of Pakistan's innings. In the run chase, he was knocked over by spinner Jeffrey Vandersay. Frustrated by dismissal, he hit the stumps with his bat before heading back to the dressing room.
“On-field umpires Alex Wharf and Rashid Riaz, third umpire Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid and fourth umpire Faisal Afridi levelled the charge while Ali Naqvi of the Emirates ICC International Panel of Match Referees proposed the sanction,” the apex cricket board said.
Babar admitted to the offence and there was no need for a formal hearing.
Despite Babar getting out in the run chase in middle overs, Pakistan managed to chase down the target of 212 with 32 balls to spare. They also completed a cleansweep in the three-ODI series.
Babar ends century drought
Recently, Babar ended the long-running drought of a century in international cricket. He scored an unbeaten 102 in the second ODI of the series. The century came after 83 innings in international cricket. He scored 165 runs in the three-ODI series.
Currently, Babar is ranked seventh in the ICC ODI batter rankings. He may move up in the rankings following the series win against Sri Lanka at home.
Babar’s chance in T20Is
Babar will be in action in the first T20I of the tri-series featuring Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka. The first clash against Zimbabwe at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium will be played on November 18. He scored a half-century in the third T20I of the series against South Africa earlier this month.