Three Pakistani players, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Saud Shakeel, and Kamran Ghulam, have been fined for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during the third match against South Africa in the ongoing tri-nation series, as confirmed by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
The incidents took place at Karachi’s National Stadium, where the players were involved in separate confrontations with South African batsmen while fielding and bowling.
Details of the Incidents
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Shaheen Shah Afridi:
- Fined 25% of his match fee for deliberately blocking South African batsman Matthew Breetzke’s path during the 28th over. Afridi’s action was deemed unsportsmanlike as he attempted to stop the batsman from taking a run.
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Saud Shakeel and Kamran Ghulam:
- Both players were fined 10% of their match fees for overly aggressive celebrations near Temba Bavuma after a run-out in the 29th over.
The penalties were imposed by the match officials, including on-field umpires Asif Yaqub and Michael Gough, third umpire Richard Illingworth, and fourth umpire Faisal Afridi.
All three players accepted their fines and issued apologies for their conduct. The PCB has assured fans that the players will exercise greater caution in upcoming matches.
Pakistan’s Victory Highlights
Despite the disciplinary setbacks, Pakistan delivered a stunning performance in the match. Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Agha’s centuries guided Pakistan to a record chase of 353 runs in 49 overs, sealing a six-wicket win against South Africa.
- Mohammad Rizwan: Scored an unbeaten 122 to anchor Pakistan’s chase.
- Salman Agha: Smashed his maiden century with 134 runs, showcasing incredible composure under pressure.
This match also highlighted Matthew Breetzke’s remarkable batting for South Africa, as he set a record of most runs by a batsman in his first two ODIs, scoring 150 and 83 in consecutive games.
What’s Next?
Pakistan has advanced to the tri-series final, where they will face New Zealand on Friday at the same venue. This final serves as an important preparation for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy, which starts next week.
Fans eagerly await to see if Pakistan can continue their winning momentum while maintaining discipline on the field.
