Pakistan has been handed a Pakistan Slow Over-Rate Fine, with 20 per cent of their match fee deducted for maintaining a slow over-rate in the first ODI against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi on Tuesday. The sanction was accepted by Shaheen Afridi, Pakistan’s captain, without contest, according to an ICC statement on Wednesday.
The fine came after Pakistan were found to be four overs short of the required over-rate in an innings that lasted over four hours. Under Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct, the Pakistan Slow Over-Rate Fine requires a deduction of 5% of a player’s match fee for each over not bowled within the allotted time.
The first ODI delivered a nail-biting finish, with Pakistan edging Sri Lanka by six runs. Sri Lanka’s Wanindu Hasaranga scored a crucial half-century, keeping his side competitive until the final over. Pakistan needed contributions from Haris Rauf and Babar Azam to secure victory, despite controlling much of the match after Sri Lanka lost their seventh wicket while still 88 runs behind.
Efforts to prevent the Pakistan Slow Over-Rate Fine included bringing an extra fielder into the circle after the 46th over of Sri Lanka’s innings, but Pakistan still fell short of the required over-rate.
The Pakistan Slow Over-Rate Fine was imposed following reports from on-field umpires Alex Wharf and Asif Yaqoob, with Sharfuddoula serving as third umpire and Rashid Riaz as fourth umpire. Afridi’s acceptance of the sanction meant that no formal hearing was required, confirming the fine.
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Pakistan Slow Over-Rate Fine: Schedule Impact Amid Security Concerns
The second ODI, originally scheduled for Thursday, faced delays after some Sri Lankan players expressed a desire to leave Islamabad on Wednesday night following a terror incident. A late-night meeting with the PCB chairman and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi persuaded the team to stay. The SLC warned that any players leaving would face disciplinary action, reinforcing the importance of maintaining the series schedule.
Due to these developments, the second and third ODIs were postponed by one day, and the subsequent T20I tri-series, which also includes Zimbabwe, was pushed back accordingly. The Pakistan Slow Over-Rate Fine remains a talking point from the first ODI as the series continues.