Fast bowlers in Pakistan Mohammad Abbas and Khurram Shahzad were sanctioned by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for separate breaches of the ICC Code of Conduct during the opening Test against West Indies at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba. Both players were charged with Level 1 offenses under Article 2.5, which prohibits players from using words, gestures or actions that could incite or provoke an aggressive response from a batter after a dismissal.
Khurram Shahzad fined, Abbas officially reprimanded
Khurram Shahzad received a 15 per cent fine on his match fee and was given a demerit point after celebrating too close to West Indian batsman Shai Hope following his dismissal in the 17th over of the hosts’ second innings. Meanwhile, Mohammad Abbas was issued an official reprimand with one point of demerit for his spirited celebration after dismissing Jomel Warrican, the last wicket of the West Indies’ innings. The ICC ruled that both celebrations crossed the acceptable standard of player conduct and had the potential to lead to batsmen being dismissed.
No formal hearing required
Both Abbas and Khurram accepted responsibility for their actions and agreed to the sanctions proposed by ICC Elite Panel Match referee Jeff Crowe. As a result, the disciplinary process was concluded without the need for formal hearings. The charges were brought by field umpires Alex Wharf and Richard Kettleborough, along with third umpire Jayaraman Madanagopal. The ICC also confirmed that this was the first disciplinary offense for the two players in the last 24 months.The West Indies won by 90 runs against Pakistan in the first Test at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, Trinidad, taking a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. The historic match, the first Test hosted at the venue, concluded on day four after a dominant display from the West Indian pace battery. The defeat marks Pakistan’s eighth consecutive Test defeat. Pakistan will look to level the series when the second and final Test begins at Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain on August 2.
