Babar Azam fined 10% of match fees for breaching ICC Code of Conduct in third PAK v SL ODI

Babar Azam ended his international century drought in second ODI after 83 innings and 807 days.

Babar Azam, the standout batsman for Pakistan, was fined for violating the ICC Code of Conduct during the third ODI against Sri Lanka after smashing the stumps with his bat in a fit of rage after being dismissed.

The incident occurred in Pakistan's 21st over, when Babar Azam, frustrated by his dismissal, smashed the stumps. He expressed his rage before leaving the field, which has now gotten him in trouble.

On-field umpires Alex Wharf and Rashid Riaz, along with third umpire Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid and fourth umpire Faisal Afridi, reported the violation under Article 2.2 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which relates to “abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings.”

Match referee Ali Naqvi oversaw the case and proposed the sentence in accordance with the International Cricket Council's disciplinary standards.

Babar accepted the indictment and sentence without seeking a formal hearing. The sentence comprises a 10% deduction from his match fees and the addition of one demerit point to his disciplinary record. This is Babar's first demerit point in the past two years.

According to the official guidelines, level 1 breaches 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.

Babar Azam had a very good series as he made 29, 102*, and 34 in three ODIs. He scored his first international century in 83 innings and after 807 days. This also made him the highest ODI century-maker for Pakistan, leveling Saeed Anwar’s record of 20 tons inthe  50-over format.

Babar will now look to duplicate his form in the T20I Tri-Series against Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. The opening match between Pakistan and Zimbabwe will take place on Tuesday, November 18, at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

(ICC inputs)