RAWALPINDI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has fined both Pakistan and Sri Lanka for slow over-rates in the opening match of the ODI tri-series, played at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday, October 18.
Pakistan were fined 10 per cent of their match fee after being ruled two overs short of the required rate. Sri Lanka were fined 5 per cent after being one over short. Both rulings came after time allowances were taken into account.
Match referee Jeff Crowe imposed the sanctions. The charges were laid by on-field umpires Asif Yaqoob and Wayne Knights, third umpire Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid and fourth umpire Faisal Afridi.
Captains plead guilty
Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi and Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis pleaded guilty and accepted the proposed penalties, so no formal hearings were needed.
Under Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, players are fined 5 per cent of their match fee for every over their side fails to bowl within the allotted time.
Pakistan win the match
On the field, Pakistan won the opener by 37 runs. Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis chose to field, and Pakistan were bowled out for 305 in 49.5 overs. Salman Ali Agha top-scored with 107 off 90 balls, his fourth ODI century.
Chasing 306, Sri Lanka were dismissed for 268 in 48.1 overs. Shaheen Afridi led the Pakistan attack with three wickets for 55 runs. Agha was named Player of the Match.
About the series
The tri-series also features England, with matches scheduled in Rawalpindi and Lahore. England head coach Brendon McCullum has already described playing Pakistan in their own conditions as far from easy.