Pakistan players fined for breaching ICC Code of Conduct | Shaheen Afridi vs Breetzke

Shaheen, Saud & Kamran Penalized for Code of Conduct Breach in PAK vs SA Clash

Pakistan’s Shaheen Shah Afridi, Saud Shakeel, and Kamran Ghulam have been fined for violating the ICC Code of Conduct during their tri-nation series match against South Africa (SA) in Karachi. The penalties come after separate incidents in the game, which led to on-field altercations and inappropriate celebrations.

Shaheen Afridi Fined for Physical Contact with Batter

Shaheen, Pakistan’s ace pacer, was fined 25% of his match fee after he was found guilty of inappropriate physical contact with SA batter Matthew Breetzke.

The incident occurred in the 28th over of SA’s innings when Shaheen deliberately obstructed Breetzke’s path while running a single, leading to physical contact and an on-field argument.

Shaheen’s act was deemed a breach of Article 2.12 of the ICC Code, which prohibits “inappropriate physical contact with a player, match official, or spectator.”

Saud & Kamran Penalized for Over-the-Top Celebration

In the very next over, Saud Shakeel and substitute fielder Kamran Ghulam were fined 10% of their match fees for celebrating too close to SA skipper Temba Bavuma after his run-out dismissal.

Their actions were deemed a violation of Article 2.5, which penalizes players for using “language, actions, or gestures that could provoke an aggressive reaction from a dismissed batter.”

Demerit Points & ICC Action

As a result of their actions, all three players Shaheen, Saud, and Kamran have received one demerit point each. However, since none of them had previous offenses in the last 24 months, no further action was taken.

The players admitted their offenses and accepted the sanctions imposed by David Boon, a member of the ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees, thereby avoiding the need for formal hearings.

The charges were leveled by on-field umpires Asif Yaqoob and Michael Gough, third umpire Richard Illingworth, and fourth umpire Faisal Afridi.

Understanding Level 1 ICC Code Breaches

Level 1 offenses under the ICC Code of Conduct carry:
A minimum penalty of an official reprimand
A maximum penalty of 50% of the player’s match fee
One or two demerit points, depending on the severity of the breach

What’s Next for the Pakistan Squad?

Despite the fines, the Pakistan team remains focused on the tri-series, which serves as a crucial preparation ahead of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025. With Shaheen, Saud, and Kamran now under ICC scrutiny, they will be keen to avoid further disciplinary issues as they gear up for future high-stakes encounters.