ICC punishes Pakistan seamen after defeat against West Indies in first Test

ICC punishes Pakistan duo Mohammad Abbas, Khurram Shahzad (Image: ICC) Pakistan fast bowlers Mohammad Abbas and Khurram Shahzad have been 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 found guilty of Level 1 offenses under Article 2.5, which prohibits players from using words, gestures or actions likely to incite or provoke an aggressive response from a batter after being dismissed.

Khurram Shahzad fined, Abbas officially reprimanded

Khurram Shahzad was fined 15 per cent of his match fee and given one point for the loss after celebrating too close to West Indies batsman Shai Hope following his dismissal in the 17th over of the hosts’ second innings. Meanwhile, Mohammad Abbas was given an official reprimand along with one demerit point for his animated celebration after dismissing Jomel Warrican, the last wicket of West Indies’ innings. The ICC ruled that both celebrations exceeded an acceptable standard of player behavior and had the potential to provoke the dismissed batsmen.

No formal hearing is 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 proceedings were concluded without the need for a formal hearing. The charges were made by on-field umpires Alex Wharf and Richard Kettleborough along with third umpire Jayaraman Madanagopal. The ICC also confirmed that this was the first disciplinary offense against both players in the last 24 months.West Indies won by 90 runs against Pakistan in the first Test at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, Trinidad to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. The historic match, the first ever Test hosted at the venue, ended on the fourth day after a dominant display from West Indies’ cruise control. The defeat marks Pakistan’s eighth consecutive away Test loss. Pakistan will now look to level the series when the second and final Test begins at the Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain on August 2.