Pakistan Win ODI Opener but Face ICC Fine Alongside Sri Lanka

News Desk

RAWALPINDI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has fined Pakistan and Sri Lanka for maintaining a slow over-rate during the opening match of the tri-nation ODI series in Rawalpindi, despite Pakistan securing a 37-run victory.

According to the ICC, Pakistan have been fined 10 per cent of their match fee, while Sri Lanka have been penalised 5 per cent after both teams failed to complete their overs within the stipulated time.

ICC Match Referee Jeff Crowe imposed the sanctions after determining that Pakistan were two overs short of the required rate, while Sri Lanka fell behind by one over after time allowances were taken into account.

Under Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, teams are fined 5 per cent of their match fee for every over they fail to bowl within the allotted time.

Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi and Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis admitted the offences and accepted the proposed sanctions, eliminating the need for formal hearings.

The charges were brought by on-field umpires Asif Yaqoob and Wayne Knights, third umpire Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid, and fourth umpire Faisal Afridi.

In the series opener, Pakistan posted 305 runs while batting first before bowling Sri Lanka out for 268, securing a 37-run victory to begin their tri-nation ODI campaign on a winning note.