Pakistan cricketers Shaheen Afridi, Saud Shakeel, and Kamran Ghulam have been fined for breaching the International Cricket Council’s Code of Conduct during a one-day international match against South Africa in Karachi. The ICC imposed financial penalties and disciplinary sanctions after reviewing incidents involving inappropriate physical contact and provocative celebrations.
Shaheen Afridi was fined 25 percent of his match fee for obstructing South African batter Matthew Breetzke during a run. The incident occurred when Afridi deliberately moved into Breetzke’s path, leading to physical contact. The ICC deemed this a level-one offence under the Code of Conduct, which prohibits deliberate obstruction or inappropriate physical interference on the field.
Saud Shakeel and Kamran Ghulam were fined 10 percent of their match fees for their behaviour following the dismissal of South African batter Temba Bavuma. Both players celebrated Bavuma’s run-out in close proximity to him, which was considered an attempt to provoke a reaction. The ICC classified their actions under the rule that discourages behaviour likely to incite conflict between players.
All three players accepted the charges and the proposed sanctions, avoiding the need for a formal hearing. In addition to the fines, each player received one demerit point on their disciplinary record. These demerit points accumulate over time, and multiple offences could lead to suspensions from future matches.
Despite these on-field incidents, Pakistan secured a six-wicket victory over South Africa. Chasing a target of 353 runs, Pakistan achieved their highest-ever successful chase in ODI history. The match showcased strong performances from their batting lineup, overshadowing the disciplinary setbacks faced by the team.
The ICC continues to enforce strict disciplinary measures to maintain the integrity of the game. Players are expected to adhere to the Code of Conduct to ensure fair play and sportsmanship in international cricket.
