Pakistan Penalized for Slow Over-Rate in Test Series Against South Africa
Pakistan’s cricket team was fined 25% of their match fee and deducted five World Test Championship points for a slow over-rate during their second Test against South Africa, which they lost by 10 wickets. The violations were determined based on ICC regulations, with captain Shan Masood admitting to the offenses.
In the recent two-match Test series against South Africa, held at Newlands in Cape Town, the Pakistan cricket team faced penalties after their defeat in the second Test. Specifically, they have been fined 25 percent of their match fee due to a slow over-rate that indicated they were five overs short, even after time allowances were factored in. This infraction led to a deduction of five points from their World Test Championship (WTC) tally.
The sanctions were imposed following Pakistan’s 10-wicket loss to South Africa, with the penalties being consistent with Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which addresses minimum over-rate violations. Under this regulation, a team is fined five percent of their match fee for each over not bowled within the stipulated time limit. Additionally, the deduction of WTC points adheres to Article 16.11.2, which states that one point is lost for every over short of the required mark.
The on-field umpires, Kumar Dharmasena and Nitin Menon, along with third umpire Alex Wharf and fourth umpire Stephen Harris, were responsible for levying these charges. The penalties were sanctioned by Richie Richardson from the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referee. Pakistan’s captain, Shan Masood, acknowledged the penalties and accepted guilt for the shortcomings.
Looking back at the second Test, during Day 4, Pakistan started the session significantly behind South Africa by 208 runs with nine wickets remaining in their second innings. Captain Shan Masood, who remained unbeaten from the previous day, contributed alongside the middle order, although wickets quickly fell in the concluding session. Keshav Maharaj was instrumental for South Africa, taking key wickets, including that of Rizwan and Salman.
By the end of their innings, Pakistan set a target of 58 runs for South Africa to chase down, following a total score of 478. In response, South African opener David Bedingham scored an aggressive 44 not out off only 30 balls, leading his side to victory without losing a wicket within just 43 deliveries. Ryan Rickelton was acknowledged as the Player of the Match due to his remarkable double century, which helped South Africa amass a formidable first innings total of 615, while Pakistan had faltered at 194 in their first innings before being made to follow on.
The recent Test series between Pakistan and South Africa was significant as it not only showcased the skills of both teams but also highlighted the stringent regulations set by the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding match conduct. Slow over-rate violations are a common infraction in cricket, often leading to penalties that impact teams financially and in terms of World Test Championship standings. This particular series was crucial for both teams’ performance and positioning in the WTC, making adherence to regulations even more paramount for their success.
In conclusion, the Pakistan cricket team has faced notable repercussions following their defeat to South Africa, specifically due to violations concerning slow over-rates. These penalties, including both a financial fine and the loss of WTC points, underscore the importance of compliance with established cricket protocols. As the team navigates these challenges, it will be essential for them to address their over-rate issues to avoid similar sanctions in future matches and maintain their competitive standing within international cricket.
Original Source: thenewsmill.com
